How To Cook Golden, Juicy Chicken Breast on the Stove

There are as many variations on cooking chicken breast as there are cooks, and I'd say that is a very good thing, as it ensures we never grow tired of this dinner staple.

Pan-seared chicken breast, cooked in a little oil with salt and pepper and finished with a generous knob of butter, is the first way I learned to cook chicken and a technique I always go back to. The resulting chicken has a golden-crisp exterior with a still-juicy interior, and is just as welcome served with steamed vegetables as it is atop creamy Alfredo pasta.

Making Juicy Golden Chicken Breast on the Stove

Kitchn has many tried-and-true techniques for chicken on the stovetop. Some are sautéed, while our most popular version is pan-steamed. This technique takes what we know and love from these other techniques to make a chicken breast with a golden, pan-seared exterior and a juicy interior.


For Your Information

- This technique is best for a 10-inch or larger skillet, preferably straight-sided and not             nonstick. Cast iron is a great option if you've got it.

-You'll need two boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about one pound total), salt, pepper,        oil, and butter for this recipe.

Key Steps for Golden, Juicy Chicken Breast

- Start with a wide, deep pan and add oil. We're going to cook the chicken over medium-     high heat, and we want to have plenty of room for the two breasts. Using something wide     and deep that accommodates the chicken and keeps splatter to a minimum.

- Don't move the chicken for a full five minutes once in the pan. Once the chicken is in    the pan, don't poke, prod, wiggle, or try to flip the chicken for a full five minutes. If you            can't  easily flip the chicken with tongs, it's not ready for flipping yet — and it won't be            golden-brown.

- Flip it once and don't touch again. Flip the breast one time only, with the goal of golden-    brown color on each side.

- Finish with butter. The butter, which would have burned if added in the beginning, will        add flavor and some color at the end of cooking.

Serving Your Golden Chicken

My favorite use for this golden, juicy chicken is topping creamy chicken Alfredo (the contrast of the chicken with the creamy sauce is heavenly), but this basic technique can be used to start off any number of meals like chopped chicken salads, chicken wraps, and even chicken sandwiches.

Chicken Breast on the Stove

Serves 2 to 4

What You Need

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or ghee
Equipment
Measuring cups and spoons
Knife and cutting board
Paper towels
10-inch or larger skillet (not nonstick)
Timer
Instant-read thermometer


Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Thoroughly     dry the chicken on all sides with paper towels. Season with the     salt and pepper on all sides.

2. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Heat the     oil in a 10-inch or larger skillet, preferably straight-sided       and not nonstick (cast iron is a great option), over medium-high     heat until shimmering, about 3 minutes.

Read Full Recipe Here :  How To Cook Golden, Juicy Chicken Breast on the Stove

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