Fitness / May 24, 2023

How to Cook Chicken Breast On The Stove

Plump and juicy chicken is taken to new heights with this recipe that outlines how to cook chicken on the stove. Convenient and delicious, this chicken is ideal for weeknight meals.

Table of Contents

Chicken breast is a kitchen staple. When cooks are in doubt, they reach for chicken breast. The reason? It’s healthy (barring any astonishingly decadent cooking methods), can be used in tons of recipes, and can be prepared any number of ways.

One of those ways is on the stove. It’s not the first method that comes to mind but it should be. It’s so easy and isn’t reliant on fair weather (barbecuing in the rain is NOT for me). It’s healthy when cooked in olive oil, and you can add all those spices and ingredients to the pan that you love.

Once you get this recipe down pat, the sky’s the limit. Pair the chicken with all sorts of starches and vegetables, cover it in sauces, and sprinkle your herbs over its crispy, brown skin.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This chicken breast recipe needs just a few simple Ingredients to make a super juicy and tender meal for the weekend.
It is seasoned with flavorful ingredients, like garlic, rosemary, and olive oil.
If all you need is a simple protein-packed meal with flavor, then this recipe is for you!
This stovetop method is quick, easy, and convenient if you want juicy meat with crispy browned skin.

Is This Stove-top Chicken Healthy?

Yes, chicken breast alone is a very healthy choice and an excellent source of protein. The important question regarding chicken is, how is it cooked and prepared? In this case, the answer is a positive one. The chicken is being cooked on medium heat, so its nutrients will be maintained. It isn’t being deep-fried or coated in butter. Instead a small amount of olive oil is used, which is considered a healthy fat. And the herbs and seasoning are natural (no store-bought mixes with added sodium here!). The only downside health-wise is that I implore you to leave the skin on. It adds flavor and succulence that you may lose if you stripped the chicken.

INGREDIENTS

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most tasty. For example:

2 medium chicken breasts, with skin
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp rosemary, chopped
pinch of salt and black pepper
1 tsp paprika powder

How to Cook Chicken Stove Top ingredients

INSTRUCTIONS

Season

Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika powder, and chopped rosemary. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the seasoned chicken breast and combine with the crushed garlic cloves.

Cook

Heat a large skillet on HIGH then add the remaining olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts skin side down. Reduce the heat to MED-HIGH. Cook for 5 minutes until the skin is crispy.

Flip

Flip the chicken breast and cook for another 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and cook until the chicken is done. (When your meat thermometer reads 165°F.)

Rest

Remove the chicken from the skillet and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

DEVOUR!

Variations

Spicy Cajun Chicken: Go with a kick of heat with some Cajun seasoning or your own mix of cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sear the chicken with the seasoning for a ton of flavor and heat.

Asian-inspired Chicken: Marinate the chicken breasts in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey or brown sugar. Cook the chicken in sesame oil and then sprinkle sesame seeds for a different texture.

Smoky Chipotle Chicken: Who says smoking is bad for you! Add chipotle powder or smoked paprika to the seasoning mixture and make the chicken rich.

Honey Mustard Chicken: Do up a marinade featuring honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Serving Suggestions

As I’ve mentioned, chicken goes with pretty much anything. Here are some sides from FFF that you could pair with it:

Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries in the Oven: Why not stick with the oven and make these sweet potato fries? Healthy, given that they’re baked, not fried.

Grated Raw Cauliflower Detox Salad: This is another healthy option for a side, as it’s gluten/grain/dairy/sugar-free but still brings the bold flavor. Oh, and it’s paleo, vegan, and whole30 friendly, too!

Air Fryer Zucchini: While your stove top is doing its thing, why not boot up the air fryer and whip up a batch of zucchini chips?

FAQs

Can I cover the pan while cooking the chicken breast?

No, that’s not recommended. If you cover your pan while cooking, it will create steam and the chicken will steam instead of sear. We want to pan-sear the chicken breast to achieve crispy and brown skin.

What other Ingredients Can I season the Chicken Breast with?

Get creative with the seasoning. You can use almost any kind of herb, like thyme or sage. Use a spice mix, like one that incorporates mustard powder with cayenne pepper and garlic powder, to create a more interesting seasoning.

why is My Chicken breast sticking to the pan?

Make sure your pan is preheated on HIGH before adding the chicken breast. When the pan is not hot enough, your chicken breast will stick to the pan. Also use a heavy skillet, like cast iron, to get the best results.

How to Store Stove-Top Chicken Breast

Let the chicken cool completely. Store the breasts in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic. You can also store them in resealable plastic bags. You can refrigerate them for up to 4 days. When it comes time to reheat, do so using the oven, stove top, or microwave. The important thing is that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you would like to store the chicken longer, wrap each breast in plastic then store inside a resealable plastic bag or airtight container. It should keep for up to 3 months.