To cook chicken breast in a pan, start by seasoning the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and any preferred seasonings. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium or medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken breasts and cook without moving them for about 5-8 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5-8 minutes until cooked through and an internal temperature of 165°F is reached. Optionally, add a tablespoon of butter towards the end and baste the chicken for extra flavor and moisture. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This method yields juicy, well-browned, and flavorful chicken breasts. Here are the key steps in brief:
- Pat and season chicken breasts.
- Heat oil in pan over medium heat.
- Cook chicken breasts on first side 5-8 minutes without moving.
- Flip and cook 5-8 minutes until done (165°F internal temp).
- Add butter and baste if desired.
- Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
This method is simple and efficient for juicy pan-cooked chicken breasts.
