Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

This is the perfect way to cook chicken breasts. If you crave juicy, flavorful chicken breasts, then follow this simple recipe. You'll end up with a golden brown platter of delicious chicken ready for the tasting. Use this recipe to shred over baked potatoes, make chicken salad, slice over fresh greens or enjoy with classic sides such as haricot verts and roasted potatoes. Once you have this sure-fire way to cook chicken in your recipe lineup, you'll never go back to dry, chewy chicken again. You only need chicken, butter, salt, pepper and oil to make this flavorful protein. Grab your pan and let's get started.

Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts on a plate for serving
Photo: Brian Woodcock
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil

  • 1 teaspoon butter

Directions

  1. Thoroughly dry chicken with paper towels; season all over with salt and pepper. Place chicken on a rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Remove from refrigerator; pat dry again.

  2. Heat oil in a 12-inch, straight-sided sauté pan over medium-low until oil shimmers. Add chicken, smooth side down. Cook, without moving, for 9 minutes or until smooth side is pale golden brown and chicken easily releases from pan. Add butter; swirl to coat, lifting chicken so the butter flows underneath. Cook 1 minute or until deep golden brown. Turn chicken; cook 6 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the center of breast registers 165°F. Remove pan from heat; let chicken stand in the pan for 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

244 Calories
9g Fat
38g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 244
% Daily Value *
Protein 38g 76%
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 557mg 24%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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