Tired of dry, tough, and boring chicken dinners? You’ve come to the right place. This easy chicken breast recipe is your foolproof guide to cooking perfectly juicy, tender, and incredibly flavorful chicken every single time. Forget everything you thought you knew about cooking this lean protein; this simple method will become your new weeknight go-to.
We use a simple yet powerful technique: a quick pan-sear to create a beautiful golden-brown crust, followed by a short time in the oven to cook it through gently. This two-step process locks in the juices and results in the most succulent chicken breast you’ve ever had, all in under 30 minutes!
Whether you’re making it for a quick dinner, slicing it for salads, or using it for meal prep, this is the only chicken breast recipe you’ll ever need.
Why This is the BEST Chicken Breast Recipe
There are thousands of ways to cook chicken, but this recipe stands out for a few key reasons. It’s designed to be simple, fast, and consistently delicious.
Guaranteed Juicy Results: The combination of pan-searing and baking is the ultimate secret. Searing at a high heat creates a flavorful crust and locks in moisture, while finishing in the oven ensures the chicken cooks evenly without drying out.
Incredibly Flavorful: Our simple, all-purpose spice rub uses common pantry staples to create a savory crust that complements the chicken perfectly. No bland chicken here!
Quick and Easy: This entire recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a healthy and satisfying meal on the table fast.
Super Versatile: This perfectly cooked chicken is a blank canvas. Serve it as a main course, slice it over a fresh salad, shred it for tacos, or add it to your favorite creamy pasta dish.
The Secret to Juicy Chicken: Key Ingredients
You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to make amazing chicken. We’re relying on a few high-quality staples to do the heavy lifting.
Simple pantry staples are all you need for this flavorful chicken.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Look for medium-sized breasts (about 6-8 ounces each) that are similar in thickness for even cooking.
Olive Oil: Used for searing to help create that beautiful golden crust. You can also use another high-smoke-point oil like avocado oil.
The Perfect Spice Rub: A simple yet powerful combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. This blend creates a wonderfully savory and slightly smoky flavor.
Fresh Parsley: Optional, but a little chopped fresh parsley at the end adds a touch of freshness and color.
Choosing Your Chicken
The quality of your chicken matters. Whenever possible, opt for air-chilled chicken, as it tends to be less watery and more flavorful. The most important factor for this recipe, however, is ensuring your chicken breasts are an even thickness. If one end is much thicker than the other, pound the thickest part down gently between two pieces of parchment paper until it’s about 3/4-inch thick all over. This guarantees it will cook evenly.
How to Cook Chicken Breasts Perfectly
FL Recipes
Chicken Breast Recipe (Juicy, Easy & Perfect Every Time!)
This easy chicken breast recipe uses a foolproof pan-sear and bake method to guarantee perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken every single time. Ready in under 30 minutes!
4boneless, skinless chicken breastsabout 6-8 oz each, pounded to an even 3/4-inch thickness
2tablespoonsolive oildivided
1teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoononion powder
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
1/2teaspoonblack pepperfreshly ground
1tablespoonfresh parsleychopped, for garnish (optional)
Equipment
1 Large oven-safe skillet (12-inch) A cast-iron skillet works best.
1 Instant-read meat thermometer Essential for perfectly cooked chicken.
1 Tongs
Method
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. If needed, pound the thicker parts to ensure an even 3/4-inch thickness.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Drizzle the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and rub to coat. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, place the chicken in the pan. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, without moving, until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at its thickest point.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcalProtein: 43gFat: 12gFiber: 1g
Notes
Do Not Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if necessary to ensure each piece gets a beautiful sear. Use a Thermometer: The single best way to guarantee your chicken is cooked perfectly—not over or under—is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Let it Rest: Don't skip the resting period! This is critical for keeping the chicken juicy.
Keyword baked chicken breast,easy chicken breast recipe,juicy chicken,pan-seared chicken
This two-stage cooking process is simple and delivers incredible results. The key is to have all your ingredients ready before you start, as the cooking process moves quickly.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for getting a good sear! If your chicken breasts are uneven, gently pound the thicker end to an even 3/4-inch thickness.
Season Generously: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over all sides, rubbing it in gently.
Pan-Sear for a Golden Crust: Heat a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron is perfect) over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side without moving them, until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
Finish in the Oven: Transfer the entire skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken. The chicken is done when it’s cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer.
The Most Important Step – REST!: Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is moist and tender.
Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it incredibly juicy.
Pro Tips for the Juiciest Chicken Every Time
Follow these simple rules, and you’ll never have to worry about dry chicken again.
Don’t Skip the Rest: I can’t stress this enough. Slicing into the chicken immediately will cause all those precious juices to run out onto your cutting board. Patience is a virtue!
Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the only way to know for sure when your chicken is perfectly cooked. Overcooking is the number one cause of dry chicken, and a thermometer takes all the guesswork out of it.
Even Thickness is Key: Pounding the chicken ensures that the entire breast finishes cooking at the same time. No more waiting for the thick part to cook while the thin part turns to rubber.
Get Your Pan Hot: A hot pan is essential for a fast, hard sear that creates a crust and traps moisture inside.
Flavor Variations & Customizations
This basic chicken breast recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to customize the spice rub to suit your tastes or what you have on hand.
Spice Rub Variations
Swap out the spice blend in the recipe for one of these delicious alternatives.
Variation
Ingredients
Lemon Herb
1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, zest of 1 lemon, salt, and pepper.
Smoky BBQ
1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, salt, and pepper.
This versatile chicken pairs well with almost anything! It’s a fantastic main course alongside roasted vegetables and potatoes, but it also shines when used in other dishes. Slice it up for a fantastic homemade chicken salad or serve it over greens for a healthy lunch. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside our simple baked potatoes.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for meal prepping lunches for the week!
How to Freeze Cooked Chicken
To freeze, let the chicken cool completely. You can freeze it whole or sliced. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating for Best Results
To avoid drying it out, reheat the chicken gently. You can warm it in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water, or microwave it at 50% power in short intervals until just warmed through.
The most reliable way is to use a meat thermometer. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the breast. The juices should also run clear when pierced.
There are three secrets: 1) Pound the chicken to an even thickness for uniform cooking. 2) Use a high-heat sear to lock in the juices before finishing in the oven. 3) Most importantly, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
For the best results, you should thaw frozen chicken breasts completely before cooking. Cooking from frozen can lead to an unevenly cooked breast, with the outside becoming dry before the inside is cooked through.
After searing for 3-4 minutes per side, the chicken will typically need 8-12 minutes in a 400°F (200°C) oven. The exact time depends on the thickness of the breast, so always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
A simple, all-purpose blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika is a fantastic choice. It creates a savory, slightly smoky flavor that complements the chicken perfectly and pairs well with almost any side dish.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try
If you loved this simple method, we know you’ll enjoy some of our other fan favorites. For a different texture and flavor, try our amazing juicy chicken thigh recipes. Or, for a classic comfort food meal, you can’t go wrong with our reader-favorite chicken parmesan recipe.
We hope you love this easy and juicy chicken breast recipe! If you make it, please leave a comment and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
