How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Here's the difference between cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts and bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts.

By Leah Brickley for Food Network Kitchen

It’s no fun biting into a piece of dry chicken breast (or worse yet, a raw one), so it’s important to know when your chicken breast is done cooking in the oven. Below, we’ve laid out some rules about how long to cook different types of chicken breasts – plus some easy, anything-but-boring chicken breast recipes to inspire you.

What’s the difference between boneless, skinless chicken breasts and bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts?

All chicken breasts aren’t created equal. How long you cook your chicken breast in the oven depends largely on its weight and whether it’s boneless, skinless or bone-in, skin-on. While the two types of chicken breasts are neighbors in the meat case, they couldn’t be further apart in flavor and appearance. Bone-in, skin-on might feel more intimidating to cook, but the fat rendered from the skin and the intact bones generally make for juicier, tastier baked chicken breast. Read on for how long to bake each variety to achieve the best results possible.

What's the best oven temperature for cooking chicken?

Many of Food Network Kitchen's baked chicken breast recipes call for a 375 degrees F oven, and that's because chicken breast cooks through evenly and quickly at this temperature, making for tender, juicy results.

How long should I bake chicken breast?

If you’re following a specific recipe, then don’t deviate! But here’s a general formula…

  • 20 to 30 minutes for large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in a 375 degrees F oven
  • 35 to 40 minutes for large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts cooked in a 375 degrees F oven

How do I tell when chicken breast is done cooking?

We’d be remiss not to mention instant read thermometers, probably your best tool to determine whether or not your chicken is done. Insert an instant read thermometer in the thickest part of the breast — you’re looking for a final temperature of 165 F. If you don’t have an instant read thermometer, you can also cut into the thickest part of the chicken with a paring knife to make sure there’s no visible pink meat.

Do I need to rest baked chicken breast?

After you’ve cooked your chicken breasts to doneness, make sure you rest them for at least 10 minutes before slicing to lock in juice and flavor.

What's the best way to store baked chicken breast?

After the chicken is done cooking, cool it completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Or transfer it to a resealable plastic bag, remove all of the air from the bag and freeze it for up to four months.

Baked Chicken Breast Recipes

Now that you’ve mastered how long to cook chicken breast and how to know when it’s done, let’s mix up things so you’re not cooking plain chicken breast. Here are some recipes to get you started. For more inspo, check out our gallery, Chicken Breast Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight.

Roast Chicken Breast with Polenta and Cherry Tomatoes

An herb or spice blend sprinkled on and rubbed into chicken breasts will add a pop of color: these chicken breasts are covered with Italian seasoning and Parmesan and bake along with polenta rounds and tomatoes.

MATT BALL WWW.MATTBALLCAMERA.COM

Hasselback Chicken Cordon Bleu

Give chicken breasts the hasselback treatment: Ree makes slits in breadcrumb-topped chicken breasts and slides in pieces of Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese.

Baked Apricot Rosemary Chicken

A quick glaze can brighten up baked chicken breasts: Trisha treats chicken breasts to an apricot jam, mustard and rosemary marinade that browns nicely as it bakes.

Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken

Sometimes you can dress up chicken breasts after they’re done baking: fresh basil and a balsamic reduction are the finishing touches on this baked caprese chicken.

No-Peak Tomato Chicken

Baking chicken breasts on a simple bed of fresh herbs and citrus slices and topping with your favorite spice or herb blend can be enough. Or try this no-peek tomato chicken where chicken breasts get lots of help — on the bottom — from rice and tomatoes.

The last two times I bought chicken breast at the grocery store, the cashiers asked me how to cook them (I had to wonder if they secretly knew what I did for a living 😅). While it can seem like a simple process, it can definitely go wrong if not done properly. And I’m not about to let you waste big $$$ on dry, tasteless chicken breasts. So here is my full tutorial on how to cook chicken breast in a pan so that it stays juicy, flavorful, and tender.

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Why I Love Pan Seared Chicken Breasts

This has become my go-to method for cooking chicken breasts. Not only is it super fast and easy, but you get a lot of delicious browning on the outside of the meat, which is something that doesn’t happen in the gentle heat of an oven. Plus, you can change the seasoning and make it taste like something new every time!

I’ve begun cooking a couple of chicken breasts at the beginning of each week, slicing them up, then storing them in the refrigerator to add to salads, pasta, sandwiches, and bowls over the next few days. It’s only a few minutes of prep and then I’ve got an easy protein ready to add to any meal. Here is a roundup of flexible recipes that are perfect for adding any protein, like pan-seared chicken breasts. You can also just add a couple of veggies on the side and make it a meal prep!

Cooking Boneless vs. Bone-in Chicken Breasts

The cooking technique below is for boneless chicken breasts (with or without skin). Bone-in chicken breasts take much longer to cook through, so you’ll want to utilize the oven to make sure the breast heats through completely without burning on the outside. For bone-in chicken breasts, I suggest using the method outlined in my Herb Roasted Chicken Breast recipe.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in a Skillet

The amount of time needed to cook a chicken breast in a pan will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, the amount of heat used, and the type of cookware used. To take the guesswork out of how long to cook the chicken breasts, I suggest using an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken breast has reached 165ºF.

Thick Chicken Breasts

Thick chicken breasts take longer to cook through than thin chicken breasts, so I like to use lower heat (medium-low) and a longer cook time, which allows time for the meat to heat through without the outside burning. For a boneless chicken breast that is about one inch thick, I cook for about 8 minutes per side over medium-low heat.

Thin Chicken Breasts

If you buy thin cut breasts, fillet the chicken breasts yourself, or use a mallet to pound the chicken breasts to ½-inch thick, they will cook much faster. You’ll want to increase the heat to medium so you can still achieve some browning on the outside with a shorter cook time. For thinner breasts, I cook for about 4-5 minutes per side.

How to Season Chicken Breasts

I used a very classic smoky seasoning for the chicken breasts in the recipe below, but there are so many other delicious options. Here are some other ways you can season your pan-seared chicken breasts:

  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Montreal Steak Seasoning
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Garlic Herb Seasoning
  • Garam Masala
  • Tajín
  • Greek Seasoning

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Pan Seared Chicken Breasts

Learn how to cook tender, juicy, and flavorful boneless chicken breasts in a pan. Perfect for quick dinners and meal prep! 

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

  • 2 tsp steak seasoning ($0.20)
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.05)
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika ($0.05)
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.3 lbs. total) ($6.79)
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.08)
  • 1 Tbsp butter (optional) ($0.10)

  • Combine the steak seasoning, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika in a bowl. Coat the chicken breasts liberally with the seasoning on all sides.

  • Add the cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-low (or medium for thin-cut breasts). Once hot, swirl the oil to coat the skillet.

  • Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 8 minutes without flipping (5 minutes for thin-cut breasts). Flip the chicken and then cook on the second side until well browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165ºF).

  • For extra luscious chicken, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet, allow it to melt, then flip the chicken a couple of times to coat in the melted butter.

  • Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for five minutes before slicing and serving.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Serving: 1servingCalories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 31gFat: 10gSodium: 197mgFiber: 1g

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

How to Make Cook Chicken Breasts in a Pan – Step by Step Photos

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Begin by seasoning the chicken breast liberally on each side. I used a mix of 2 tsp steak seasoning, ½ tsp smoked paprika, and ½ tsp sweet paprika. The steak seasoning contains salt, so no extra salt was needed in my mix.

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Add a tablespoon or so of your favorite cooking oil to a large skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-low (or medium heat for thin cut breasts).

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Once hot, swirl the oil in the skillet to coat the surface, then add the chicken breasts. Let the chicken breasts cook for 8 minutes without flipping (or 5 minutes for thin cut breasts). Flip once and cook until well browned on the second side and cooked through.

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

To make the chicken breasts extra luscious, add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet, allow it to melt, then flip the chicken a couple of times to coat. The butter will help dissolve some of the flavor off the bottom of the skillet to further coat the chicken.

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean cutting board and allow it to rest for five minutes before slicing and serving.

How do you cook boneless chicken breast

Posted in: Chicken Breast Recipes, Chicken Recipes, Egg Free Recipes, Gluten free Recipes, How-To, Main Dish Recipes, Meat Recipes, Quick Chicken Recipes, Quick Recipes, Recipes, Recipes under $10, Soy Free Recipes, Under $1 per serving

Beth MoncelI’m a food lover, number cruncher, and meticulous budgeter. I love science and art, and the way they come together when I cook. I love to create, problem solve, and learn new things. Making great food is my passion, my purpose, and my favorite thing to share with others.More About Beth

How long does it take to cook a boneless chicken breast?

Cooking tips chicken breast at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C).

How do you cook boneless chicken without drying it out?

Chicken breasts are susceptible to drying out when overcooked, so they're best cooked quickly using high heat. That means skillet-cooking, stir-frying, roasting/baking, or grilling chicken breasts are the best routes. The stovetop is particularly easy because you can make a sauce in the same pan.

How should I cook my boneless skinless chicken breast?

The Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover sheet pan with parchment paper. Lay out seasoned chicken on parchment. Bake chicken in preheated oven for 20 to 24 minutes minutes, until it's just cooked through.

How do I cook boneless breast?

Add the cooking oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-low (or medium for thin-cut breasts). Once hot, swirl the oil to coat the skillet. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 8 minutes without flipping (5 minutes for thin-cut breasts).