Greasing The Pan: Chicken Breast Edition

Whether you grease the pan depends on the type of chicken breast you're cooking and the result you want.

If you're cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you'll need to add some kind of fat to the pan. Most recipes suggest using oil with a high smoke point, like olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil. You can also finish the chicken with butter for moisture, flavour, and to enhance the colour of the golden crust.

If you're cooking bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, you don't need to add any fat to the pan as the skin contains enough fat to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Pan-seared chicken breast

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Butter (optional)

Method:

• Pound the chicken breasts to a thickness of about 1 inch. This will help them cook more evenly.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Be generous with the seasoning!
• Heat a large skillet to medium-high and add a thin coating of olive oil or cooking spray.
• Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning only once. The chicken is ready to be flipped when it releases easily from the pan.
• The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F. You can take it off the heat at 155-160˚F and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• For extra crispy chicken, dredge the chicken breasts in flour before adding them to the pan. You can use all-purpose flour or alternative flours like rice flour, almond flour, or potato starch.
• If you want to add extra flavor, try seasoning the chicken with lemon pepper, Montreal steak seasoning, or garlic herb seasoning.
• To make the chicken extra juicy, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet after cooking and flip the chicken a few times to coat.

Cooking boneless vs bone-in chicken breasts

Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts

When it comes to cooking chicken breasts, there are two main methods: oven-baking and pan-searing. Oven-baked chicken breasts can be cooked either with the bone in or as boneless cuts.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are convenient as they require minimal preparation and cook relatively quickly. They are also versatile and can be used in recipes that call for cut-up pieces of chicken, like soups, stews, pastas, stir-fries, and curries. Boneless chicken is typically more expensive than bone-in cuts due to the labour involved in preparing it, and it is also leaner. It is more prone to overcooking, so it requires more work to ensure the meat stays juicy and tender. To avoid this, it is recommended to flatten boneless chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking, and to season and dredge the meat to lock in moisture.

Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts take longer to cook through but result in juicier, more succulent meat. The rendered fat from the skin and bones helps to keep the meat moist, and the bone also helps to distribute heat evenly. Bone-in chicken is often sturdier and can hold up to low and slow cooking methods like braising and roasting. It is also usually less expensive than boneless chicken. To cook bone-in chicken breasts in the oven, it is recommended to cover the meat with aluminium foil for the first half of the cooking time, then remove the foil to allow the chicken to brown.

To ensure chicken breasts are cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Poultry is safe to eat when the thickest part of the meat reaches 165ºF.

Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

Pan-searing is a good method for cooking boneless and skinless chicken breasts when short on time. It involves cooking the chicken in a skillet on the stove, resulting in a crunchy crust and lots of flavour. The flatter the chicken breast, the better, as it will cook faster and retain its coating better. Before cooking, the chicken should be dried with paper towels and coated in flour, which will give the meat an attractive brown colour. Olive oil can also be used to help achieve a golden crust.

To cook boneless chicken breasts in a pan, heat oil in a skillet over medium-low to medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook without flipping for around 8 minutes for a one-inch-thick breast or 4-5 minutes for a half-inch-thick breast. Flip the chicken and cook on the second side until well browned and cooked through. For extra flavour, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet and flip the chicken a couple of times to coat.

In Summary

Whether you choose to cook boneless or bone-in chicken breasts, both methods have their advantages. Boneless chicken is quicker and more convenient, whereas bone-in chicken produces juicier results. By using techniques such as flattening, seasoning, and dredging, it is possible to ensure that boneless chicken stays moist during cooking. Similarly, covering bone-in chicken with foil for part of the cooking process can help to prevent the meat from drying out.

How to season chicken breasts

There are many ways to season chicken breasts, and it's important to season them well to ensure they are juicy and full of flavour.

Firstly, you can use a classic smoky seasoning. Combine 2 teaspoons of steak seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of sweet paprika in a bowl. Coat the chicken breasts liberally with the seasoning on all sides.

Alternatively, you can use lemon pepper seasoning, Montreal steak seasoning, or garlic herb seasoning.

For a more complex flavour, you can use a combination of coarse kosher sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and herbs such as Herbes de Provence or Italian seasoning. Sprinkle this blend over each side of the chicken breasts.

If you're short on time, a simple combination of salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts will also do the trick.

For a gluten-free option, you can dredge the chicken breasts in rice flour or almond flour before cooking to give them a crispy coating.

No matter which seasoning you choose, the key to a juicy, well-seasoned chicken breast is to ensure that it is cooked properly. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken breast has reached 165ºF.

Chicken breast cooking times

The cooking time for chicken breasts depends on a few factors: the thickness of the meat, the heat used, and the type of cookware. The best way to know when your chicken is cooked is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165ºF.

Thick Chicken Breasts

Thicker chicken breasts will take longer to cook through than thinner ones. It's recommended to use a lower heat setting (medium-low) and cook for a longer time to avoid burning the outside. For a boneless chicken breast that is about one inch thick, cook for around 8 minutes on each side over medium-low heat.

Thin Chicken Breasts

Thin chicken breasts will cook much faster. Increase the heat to medium and cook for around 4-5 minutes on each side to achieve some browning.

Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts

Oven-baked chicken breasts should be cooked at a higher temperature. Depending on the thickness of the meat, cooking at 450°F for 15-18 minutes should be sufficient. This high heat helps to develop a crispy "crust" on the outside while keeping the meat tender.

Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

For a crunchy crust and juicy meat, pan-seared chicken breasts are a great option. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. The total cooking time should not exceed 8-10 minutes.

Chicken breast serving suggestions

Chicken breasts are a versatile, healthy, and inexpensive source of lean protein. They can be cooked in a variety of ways and are suitable for a range of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions for chicken breasts:

Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

For this method, you will need boneless and skinless chicken breasts. Start by drying the chicken with paper towels. Then, in a large bowl, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Next, coat the chicken breasts with the flour mixture. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the coated chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Serve with pasta or vegetables.

Poached Chicken

Poaching is a simple and healthy way to cook chicken breasts. You can poach plain, boneless, skinless chicken breasts in water, stock, or another liquid of your choice. This method is ideal for meal prepping and can be used in various dishes such as chicken salad or chicken noodle soup.

Baked Chicken

Baking is another easy way to prepare chicken breasts. You can simply season the chicken with salt and pepper, or get creative with different seasonings and ingredients. For example, you can make lemon chicken by adding garlic, herbs, lemon, and white wine. Or, try making pesto chicken bruschetta by baking the chicken and topping it with fresh mozzarella and chopped tomatoes.

Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken stir-fry is a quick and tasty option. Cut a chicken breast into chunks and brown them in a frying pan with a bit of oil. Add your choice of vegetables, such as green beans or bell peppers, and a sauce like soy or teriyaki. Serve over rice or noodles.

Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a great option for a quick and healthy meal. You can use poached or baked chicken breasts and add them to a bed of greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula. Top with your choice of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, or avocado, and a dressing of your choice.

Frequently asked questions