Perfect Chicken Breast: A Foolproof Recipe (2024)

While I consider myself a pretty adept home cook, I’ll admit that I haven’t had much luck with cooking chicken breasts in the past. It used to be that whenever I cooked chicken at home, I’d opt for smaller cuts like tenderloins and thighs because they were easier for me to cook evenly.

Related: This Unusual Method Makes The Best Roast Chicken Ever

In fact, many people I’ve spoken with (including a few OGT Team members) have admitted they avoid cooking or eating chicken breasts after too many dry, bland, and generally unpleasant eating experiences. So when I came across a cooking method on The Kitchn that promised perfect chicken breasts every time, I figured I ought to at least give it a shot!

Not only did this method live up to its promise, it ended up being one of the best chicken breasts I’ve ever cooked! It was moist, juicy, flavorful, and most importantly, it was surprisingly easy to make. So today I thought I’d share this foolproof chicken breast recipe with all of you, so you can enjoy the simple pleasure of a perfect chicken breast too! :-)

How To Make Perfect Chicken Breast Every Time

Step 1 – Pound It Out

Place your chicken breast(s) on a cutting board or clean surface and place a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap over the top. Then use a mallet, water cup, or small frying pan to pound the chicken into an even thickness.

The goal here isn’t to flatten them or make them super thin—you just want to level out the thickest areas of each breast so that they’ll cook more evenly.

Step 2 – Season It

Next, season your chicken breasts with your favorite seasonings. (Everyone has their own ideas about the best way to season chicken, so I won’t try to step on any toes here!)

Personally, I always reach for my simple “house seasoning,” which consists of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried parsley. (I usually just sprinkle them on one at a time, but you could mix them up first if you prefer.)

Step 3 – Cook It

Heat your frying pan over medium-high heat. Stainless steel pans can be heated “dry,” but non-stick pans need oil from the start to avoid unhealthy fumes.

When the pan is hot, add a couple of tablespoons of oil. Swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan, then reduce the heat to medium.

Add the chicken breasts to the pan, and allow them to cook undisturbed for about 1 minute to develop some color. Then flip the breasts over, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.

Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed in the covered pan for 10 minutes. (That means no peeking, or you’ll let all the steam out!) Remove the pan from heat and let it sit (with the lid still on) for another 10 minutes to finish cooking.

Step 4 – Check & Eat

At this point, your chicken breasts should be perfectly cooked! Check to make sure there is no pink left in the center, or better yet, use an instant-read digital thermometer to verify that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

Related: This Guide Makes It Easy To Cook Meat With Confidence (Free Printable!)

Slice up your moist, juicy chicken breasts, and eat them however you like!

Bonus Tip: Try Brining!

The next time you cook any cut of chicken (or any cut of any meat, for that matter), try brining it first! Brining meat in salty water can enhance the juiciness and texture of any meat, and it helps season the meat throughout too.

To make a simple brine, add about 1/4 cup of kosher salt to 1 quart of warm water. Add the meat, put the container in the fridge, and let it sit for around 30 minutes.

Related: How To Tenderize Steak So That Even Cheap Cuts Taste Incredible

If you’re short on time, or impatient like myself, keep in mind even 15 minutes of brining will make a difference! (Avoid brining meat for longer than 2 hours, unless you’re working with a lot of meat.)

You might also like these posts:

• Cooking Chicken? Skip This Step That Could Make You Sick
• This Easy Chicken Recipe Is On The Menu Every Week At My House
• How To Make Perfectly Crispy Chicken Thighs

What’s your favorite way to eat chicken breast?