Cooking chicken breast on stove top is a great hack to make a quick and tasty meal without causing big mess. If your a newbie or you been cooking for years, you can still use this trick to get juicy chicken fast. All it takes is a pan and few things from your pantry and your set to impress everyone.
Life gets busy so its nice to have simple recipe that dont take long. Chicken breast is low fat but high in protein so its perfect for dinners, meal prep or even a quick lunch. With couple of basic tips and some fun ideas you can turn plain chicken into dishes everyone love.
In this post, we will talk about why cooking chicken on stove top is awesome, what tools and ingredients you actually need, plus 10 yummy recipes to try. From simple pan seared chicken to zesty mediterranean styles, there is something for every taste. Lets get started and see how easy it is to cook chicken breast in no time!
Why Cook Chicken Breast on the Stove Top?
Stove top chicken cooks super fast. You can sear and finish in around 15 to 20 minites, way quicker than baking or grilling. That makes it perfect for nights when you're rushing or when suddently friend drop by.
Another plus is it stay juicy. If you keep an eye on heat and sometimes cover the pan, you get a nice brown outside but keeps all the juices inside. No one like dry chicken thats tough to chew. And once you got juicy chicken, you can make salads, pasta or sandwiches in seconds.
Essentials for Cooking Chicken Breast on the Stove Top
To cook chicken on stove top, you need some basic tools and stuffs. Here's what I use every time to get perfect chicken.
Recommended Cooking Tools & Equipment
- Skillet or Frying Pan: A decent non-stick or stainless steel pan works best to stop chicken from sticking and cook it even.
- Meat Thermometer: Use a instant-read thermometer so you dont under or over cook the chicken.
- Tongs: Good tongs help you flip chicken without ruining its crust.
Necessary Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless and skinless ones for quick cooking and lower fat.
- Oils & Fats: Olive oil, vegetable oil or butter for flavor and to sear chicken.
- Seasonings & Marinades: Salt, pepper and herbs. Feel free to add sauces or marinate for extra taste.
Top 10 Chicken Breast Recipes for the Stove Top
1. Basic Pan-Seared Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of chicken.
- Put chicken in pan and cook for 6 to 7 minites on each side or until it looks golden and cooked inside.
Cooking Tip: Let chicken rest few minutes after cooking so juice can go back in.
2. Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Mix garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Marinate chicken for about 30 minites.
- Cook chicken in pan over medium heat for 6 minites each side or until done.
Cooking Tip: Using fresh herbs makes it more flavorful.
3. Honey Mustard Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Combine mustard, honey, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Coat chicken in the mix and let it sit for 15 minites.
- Cook in pan over medium heat for 6 to 7 minites per side until cooked through.
Cooking Tip: For extra glaze, simmer leftover sauce in pan before serving.
4. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
- Heat oil in pan and cook chicken until golden and done. Remove it.
- In same pan add tomatoes and spinach until wilted.
- Pour in cream, put chicken back and cook for 5 more minites.
Cooking Tip: Serve with pasta or rice to soak up the sauce.
5. BBQ Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
- Heat oil in pan, cook chicken 5 minites per side.
- Add BBQ sauce, simmer for 5 more minites and baste often.
Cooking Tip: Let pan get a bit hot so you get slight char for real bbq taste.
6. Spicy Cajun Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
- Rub chicken with Cajun seasoning all over.
- Heat oil in pan on medium-high and cook each side for 6 to 7 minites until done.
Cooking Tip: Serve with rice or fresh salad to cool down the spice.
7. Italian Herb Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Season chicken with herbs, salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in pan and cook chicken 6 to 7 minites each side until golden.
Cooking Tip: Top with fresh basil after cooking for extra flavor.
8. Honey Garlic Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
- Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce and oil in bowl.
- Marinate chicken for 30 minites then cook in pan over medium for 6 to 7 minites per side.
Cooking Tip: Drizzle extra sauce from pan over chicken before serving.
9. Balsamic Glazed Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Season chicken, heat oil in pan over medium.
- Cook 6 to 7 minites per side, then add vinegar and reduce for 2 minites.
Cooking Tip: Pair with roasted veg to balance the tangy glaze.
10. Mediterranean Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup olives, sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Directions:
- Cook chicken in oil over medium for 6 to 7 minites per side.
- Top with olives and feta, cover until cheese melts slightly.
Cooking Tip: Serve with couscous or quinoa for a full meal.
Serving Suggestions
To make your chicken meals better, try these sides and sauces.
Recommended Side Dishes
- Steamed veggies like brocolli, carrots or green beans
- Rice or quinoa
- A green salad with light dressing
Complementary Sauces and Condiments
- Garlic aioli or herb mayo
- Spicy salsa or pico de gallo
- Homemade pesto adds fresh taste
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
How to Store Cooked Chicken Breast
After cooking let chicken cool to room temp, then put in airtight container. It stays good in fridge up to 4 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, warm it in pan over medium heat until its hot or in microwave in short bursts so it dont dry out.
Freezing Guidelines
You can freeze cooked chicken up to 3 months. Wrap it good in plastic wrap and put in freezer bag. Thaw in fridge before warming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook frozen chicken breasts on the stove?
Yes you can but it will take longer. Use a meat thermometer to make sure it reach 165°F inside.
How long does it take to cook chicken breast on the stove?
Usually around 15 to 20 minites depending on thickness and how hot your pan is.
What temperature should chicken breast be cooked to?
The USDA says 165°F (75°C) inside to be safe to eat.
Why is my chicken breast dry?
Often its because you cooked it too long. A thermometer and watching time help you avoid that.
How do I flavor chicken breast without a lot of calories?
Using herbs, spices and citrus juice add taste but not calories. Vinegar or yogurt based marinades are good.
What is the best way to ensure my chicken is cooked through?
Use a meat thermometer. Check thickest part for 165°F inside.
Conclusion
Cooking chicken breast on stove top is quick and tasty way to make meals. With easy dinner recipes and good recipes you get healthy, yummy dishes that fit any day. Try some of these ideas and tweak them to your taste for even more fun cooking.
chicken breast recipes stove top
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
- 1 tongs
- 1 meat thermometer (optional)
- 1 cutting board
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 1.5 pounds total.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves Or 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped Or 1 teaspoon dried parsley.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- as needed pieces lemon wedges (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to ensure proper searing.
- Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, black pepper, and thyme.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes on one side until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken breasts, reduce the heat to medium, and add the minced garlic around the chicken. Cook for another 6-7 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Once cooked, add the butter and parsley to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic butter over the chicken breasts for extra flavor.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.
