Let’s face some facts, boneless-skinless chicken breasts made on the cooktop often come out dry and/or rubbery. This does not have to be the case. Today I am going to share with you my favorite method for achieving moist, tender, delicious chicken breasts every time. So without further ado…How to Make Juicy Chicken Breasts on the Cooktop!
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How to Make Juicy Chicken Breasts on the Cooktop!
Just a heads up, I have already posted tutorials on How to Make Perfect Chicken Breasts on the Grill and How To Make Tender Chicken Breasts in the Oven. I promise this knowledge will change your chicken game!
Now let’s get to the subject at hand, juicy chicken breasts on the cooktop! This method is so easy, you pretty much won’t believe it. The only thing you need to achieve tender chicken breasts on the cooktop is a sturdy pan with a lid. Here are the steps:
- Season your boneless-skinless chicken breasts with any seasoning you wish.
- Heat your pan on medium heat for 2 minutes (high heat if using cast iron), add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Allow 60 seconds for oil to heat. Add chicken breasts (if using cast iron lower heat to medium), cook for five minutes.
- Flip chicken, add one cup water to pan, cover with lid.. Cook for three more minutes. Turn off heat. Don’t open the lid for 15 minutes. Really, don’t peek, you need to keep the heat in to finish cooking the chicken. After 15 minutes, remove chicken from pan.
Your Pan Matters:
Essentially the technique we are using to cook these breasts both bakes and steams them, so you want a sturdy/heavy pan. I prefer a cast iron or iron clad pan, because they hold heat really well. I am sorry to say a light weight aluminum pan won’t cut it.
Suggestions for seasoning:
What seasoning you use is up to you and will depend on what you are serving the chicken with. These are my favorites…
- Maldon Sea Salt and pepper. (I use this when adding chicken to pasta, salads or soup)
- Redmond Seasoning Salt
- Cajun Rub
- Redmond Taco Seasoning
How I Use this Recipe:
Serve immediately after cooking as a main course protein or make enough for all week and toss in soup, salad, or pasta. Use in protein bowls, tacos or wraps. So many options! I love this chicken in my Chicken and Berry Salad.
Keto-Low Carb and Whole30 Approved!
Depending on how you season this chicken it’s low carb, keto, and whole30!
The Recipe: How to Make Juicy Chicken Breasts on the Cooktop!
What you need: a good quality pan with a lid.
The easiest method for tender juicy chicken breasts made on the cooktop
- desired amount of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- seasonings of your chocie (see recommendations above
- olive oil
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Place a pan on medium/high heat for two minutes. While pan heats season chicken.
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Add enough olive oil to thoroughly coat the bottom of pan. Wait 1 minute, allowing oil to get hot. Place breasts in pan and sear for five minutes, flip chicken, add one cup of water to pan, cover with lid, and cook for 3-4 more minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cook in the hot pan for 15 more minutes with lid on. Do not lift lid! The heat needs to stay in the pan for the chicken to cook through.
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Remove chicken, serve.
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I have a question or two before I try this method of cooking the chicken breast. When you give directions on how to heat the pan is that based on an electric or gas range? I will be using an electric range. My second question is after flipping the breast and cooking for three minutes. Do I shut off the burner and leave the pan on the burner or take it off the burner?
It looks great to me and I am looking forward to trying this method, thank you.
I have only made this recipe on a gas cooktop, you may have to allow for time differences with electric. After flipping the chicken, adding water, putting the lid on and cooking for 3 minutes, you turn off the heat and leave on the burner. I hope you enjoy the recipe!