Cooking a juicy cast iron chicken breast is a delicious and straightforward process. Whether you are single or looking for a recipe to serve your family, this recipe is perfect for you.
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The Best Chicken Breast Recipe
Chicken breasts can take some finesse to make them tender and moist. Unlike the flavorful drumsticks or juicy chicken thighs, chicken breasts are often labeled as bland and dry.
We aim to negate those negative thoughts by providing you with the most tender, moist, and flavorful chicken recipe you ever had. The chicken is marinated in a simple sauce using avocado oil and a few spices. Thats it!
And the best part about this recipe is everyone loves a good juicy piece of chicken. Even picky kids prefer chicken over almost any other type of meat.
Below I will show you how to cook the perfect chicken breast!
It all begins with a cast iron skillet.
So much to be said about cast iron! The even heat distribution of the cast iron allows the chicken to cook evenly and retain its moisture. All key parts to avoid a dried-out piece of meat.
In addition, when cooked properly, stovetop chicken breast has a delicious flavor. The cast iron skillet helps to create a nice sear on the outside, locking in the juices and enhancing the natural flavors of the chicken.
Can I use a non-stick pan?
So, in short, yes. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the heat as non-stick pans are typically thinner and do not cook as evenly as a good cast iron skillet.
I personally avoid non-stick pans since they are treated with chemicals to make them non-stick.
And lastly, if you do use a non-stick pan, avoid preheating it, or you chance damaging the non-stick coating, potentially causing it to release harmful chemicals into the air.
Why You Will Love This Stovetop Recipe
Chicken breast is a lean source of protein that is low in fat and high in nutrients. Combining that with its delicious taste, it’s no wonder chicken has such a widespread appeal.
A perfect summer recipe! This cast iron chicken breast recipe is cooked entirely on the stovetop, so you can avoid heating up your home with the oven this summer.
It combines the perfect crispy texture while keeping the meat tender and juicy inside.
My favorite stovetop chicken recipes
What You Need To Make Cast Iron Chicken Breast
It all starts with a few simple ingredients. If you have a favorite seasoning blend, feel free to use it here in place of the one below!
Ingredients:
- 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts (approximately 1/2 pound each)
- 1/2 teaspoon of both sea salt and dried, minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon of each ground pepper, smoked paprika, and dried mustard seed
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil plus a teaspoon for cooking
- 1/2 tablespoon of butter, optional
How To Make Cast Iron Chicken Breast
Grab your spices and combine them in a small bowl or ramekin. With your spices mixed, you are almost ready to add them to your recipe to enhance the flavors of your dish.
Add two tablespoons of avocado oil to the seasoning blend and stir until the avocado oil is well distributed throughout the mixture.
Gently brush the marinade onto both sides of each chicken breast, ensuring they are well coated. Make sure you use all the seasonings! You will love the burst of flavor it gives the meat when cooked.
Heat a 10″ skillet on medium heat, or just a little past medium with the remaining avocado oil. Carefully place the chicken into the hot skillet to cook for 4-5 minutes.
Use tongs to flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165°F with an instant thermometer.
I like to add butter to the tops of the chicken breast after flipping them, but it is not necessary. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it to a plate or cooling rack to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to prevent the meat from sticking.
- Leave the chicken alone – only flip once.
- Use thin sliced breasts or pound thin with a meat mallet.
- If you double the recipe, scrape up the bits from the skillet to prevent burning before adding the next pieces of chicken.
- Choose a cooking oil with a high smoke point.
- Use local, organic chicken for the best results.
- Chicken should stay fresh for up to 4 days when kept in an airtight container in the fridge.
FAQs
Should I use fresh or frozen chicken? To ensure you cook the chicken breasts in the cast iron skillet evenly, you’ll need to use fully thawed meat. While fresh chicken breasts have better flavor, you can use frozen as well. Just make sure you let them thaw before cooking.
How long to cook chicken in a cast iron skillet? It takes only 4-5 minutes to cook each side of the chicken breast. And unlike beef steaks, you’ll need to cook the chicken completely through to 165°F. Cooking times may vary based on the thickness of the chicken.
Can I use butter instead of cooking oil? I do not recommend using butter because it has a lower smoke point than many cooking oils. While butter is fine for quickly searing your ribeye, it may burn while making a slower-to-cook chicken breast.
Wrapping Up
By following these steps, you will have a beautifully cooked, juicy cast iron chicken breast that is sure to delight you and your family’s taste buds!
Be sure to comment below on how you enjoyed your delicious and juicy cast iron chicken breast!
If you love this recipe, check out some of these favorites below!
- Southwest chicken casserole
- Roasted cajun chicken
- How to make pulled chicken
- Easy creamy chicken skillet
- Honey ginger chicken
Juicy Cast Iron Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts approximately 1/2 pound each
- 1/2 teaspoon of both sea salt and dried minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon of each ground pepper smoked paprika and dried mustard seed
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil plus a teaspoon for cooking
- 1/2 tablespoon of butter optional
Instructions
- Combine the spices in a small bowl or ramekin.
- Stir in two tablespoons of avocado oil.
- Brush the seasonings onto both sides of each chicken breast.
- Heat a 10" cast iron skillet on medium heat, or just a little past medium with the remaining avocado oil.
- Carefully place the chicken into the skillet to cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Use tongs to flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken registers 165°F with an instant thermometer.
- I like to add butter to the tops of the chicken breast after flipping them, but it's not necessary.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, remove them to a plate or cooling rack to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet to prevent the meat from sticking.
- Use thin sliced breasts or pound thin with a meat mallet.
- If you double the recipe, scrape up the bits from the skillet to prevent burning before adding the next pieces of chicken.
- Use cooking oil with a high smoke point.
- For best results, look for local, organic chicken.
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
