How long to cook flattened chicken breast in pan

Have you ever wondered how to pan cook juicy, tender chicken breast? This pan-fry chicken recipe has become a weeknight dinner staple at our house.

Pan seared chicken is incredible served with these Spicy South-Western Roasted Sweet Potatoes or the Crispy Baked Carrot Fries. Or if you prefer a keto or low-carb side dish, try this Cheesy Cauliflower Au Gratin with Bacon or Twice-Baked Loaded Cauliflower Recipe.

Not only is this technique for cooking boneless skinless chicken breast quick and easy, but it’s extremely versatile. Keep it simple with salt and pepper and a bit of butter to finish it off, marinate overnight, or a dash of your favorite dry rub. The result will always be delicious and you’ll never eat bland dry chicken again.

HOW TO SEASON AND SERVE PAN-COOKED CHICKEN

  • Marinate in Buffalo Wing Sauce and serve up as buffalo chicken tacos or buffalo chicken salad.
  • Marinate in Italian or Greek Dressing and serve with a salad.
  • Dry rubs made for chicken are great for wraps and salads. 
  • Dry rub taco seasoning is a great idea for making chicken tacos.
  • Lemon pepper seasoning is delicious when making chicken sandwiches on a bun.

HOW TO PAN SEAR CHICKEN BREAST

If your weekdays and nights are as busy as ours, you’re familiar with the “just get dinner on the table mode”. And, hectic days call for quick and easy dinner recipes that everyone will eat! Once you master how to pan-sear chicken you’re going to be the rockstar of your house!

How long to cook flattened chicken breast in pan

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HOW TO FLATTEN OUT A CHICKEN BREAST

Start with thawed boneless skinless chicken breast. Since chicken breasts is not the same thickness all the way through, you’ll want to flatten them out. Flattening out the chicken breast ensures that the entire breast is cooking through at the same rate resulting in tender, juicy pan-seared chicken breasts.

First, place the chicken breasts in a gallon-size zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible. You can use almost any heavy, flat object to pound the breast — a skillet, a meat mallet, or a rolling pin. To flatten the chicken breast, pound it with the flat side of the meat mallet to ¼ inch thickness.

HOW LONG TO PAN FRY THE CHICKEN

Preheat a large heavy-bottom pan over medium-high heat. Then, add a tablespoon of olive oil and allow to heat. Next, add the chicken being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 7-8 minutes per side.

Once the chicken is in the pan, leave it alone. Don’t poke it, move it around, or wiggle it. If the chicken won’t move when you try to flip it, it’s not ready…try again in a couple of minutes. Flip the chicken breast one time only, and you will be rewarded with golden-brown, slightly blackened chicken.

How long to cook flattened chicken breast in pan

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD CHICKEN COOK TO IN THE SKILLET?

The best way to know if your chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts should cook to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

HOW TO TELL IF CHICKEN IS DONE IF YOU DON’T HAVE A MEAT THERMOMETER?

The best way to check if your chicken breasts are cooked without a meat thermometer is to cut into the chicken at the thickest part. You’ll want to be sure there are no pink areas and the juices are clear. Without a meat thermometer, you risk overcooking the pan-seared chicken resulting in dried-out chicken breast.

WHAT TYPE OF PAN WORKS BEST FOR COOKING CHICKEN ON THE STOVE-TOP?

I recommended using a large, 10-inch, or larger heavy-bottomed pan. Cast Iron, enameled cast iron, or stainless steel are the three best choices. They conduct heat very well and can hold up to the medium-high heat of pan searing. When using heavy bottom fry pans, be sure the pan is hot before adding the oil and chicken breast.

MEAL PREP TIP

For a really busy week, I’ll pound out a large package of chicken breast so they’re ready to marinate on the day I’m planning to cook them. Hello, Meal Prep Sunday!

Add the marinade the morning of or at least 2 hours before cooking. I wouldn’t suggest marinating the chicken days in advance as the chicken may become too salty. Some days, our hectic mornings don’t allow for the extra 5 minutes to marinade chicken. On those days, I salt and pepper the chicken before cooking and finish with a pat of butter, or use a favorite dry rub.

How long to cook flattened chicken breast in pan

HOW TO PAN COOK CHICKEN BREAST FAQ

How to season chicken when cooking on the stovetop?

Pan-seared chicken is very versatile. It’s wonderfully marinated in your favorite marinade, perfect with dry rubs, or simply delicious with just salt and pepper then finished with a pat of butter.

How to cook chicken on the stovetop that doesn’t dry out?

The key to cooking chicken breasts in the pan is to flatten the chicken out evenly. Flattening out the chicken breast ensures that the entire breast is cooking through at the same rate resulting in tender, juicy pan-seared chicken breasts.

How long can you store leftover chicken breast in the refrigerator?

Leftover chicken breast can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. You may freeze leftover chicken breasts for up to 3 months.

What type of oil works best when cooking chicken on the stovetop?

When cooking chicken breast on the stovetop, cook at medium-high heat in a large heavy bottom pan. Olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil can all be used when cooking chicken in the skillet.

What’s a good recipe for leftover chicken breasts?

Tacos, wraps, sandwiches, salads, and soups are all great ways to use up leftover chicken breasts!

OTHER SKILLET DINNER IDEAS

  • The Best Healthy Buffalo Chicken Tacos
  • Chicken Burrito Skillet Dinner
  • Italian Chicken with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozzarella

FOR MORE COOKING TIPS

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How long to cook flattened chicken breast in pan

How to Pan Cook Chicken Breasts On The Stove

Jessica Stroup

Not only is this technique for cooking boneless skinless chicken breast quick and easy, but it’s extremely versatile. Keep it simple with salt and pepper and a bit of butter to finish it off, marinade overnight, or a dash of your favorite dry rub. 

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Calories 254 kcal

Equipment

  • Meat Mallet

  • Large Heavy Bottom Pan

  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients  1x2x3x

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil olive, peanut, and vegetable oil will also work well
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts thawed
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • First, put chicken breasts in a gallon ziptop bag or between two peices of parchment paper

  • Use a meat mallet rolling pin to pound and flatten each chicken breast evenly to about ¼-inch thickness.

  • Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper or desired seasoning. (See notes for more seasoning ideas)

  • Heat a large heavy bottom pan on medium-high heat, then add oil.

  • Gently add the chicken breast to the hot pan. Cook for chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side. Do not flip or move until ready to flip.

  • Flip chicken breasts and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. (See notes if you do not have a meat thermometer.)

  • Rest chicken for 5-10 minutes before serving to retain the most juices.

Notes

HELPFUL TIPS

Once the chicken is in the pan, leave it alone. Don’t poke it, move it around, or wiggle it. If the chicken won’t move when you try to flip it, it’s not ready…try again in a couple of minutes. Flip the chicken breast one time only, and you will be rewarded with golden-brown, slightly blackened chicken. 

HOW TO TELL IF CHICKEN IS DONE WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A MEAT THERMOMETER

The best way to check if your chicken breasts are cooked without a meat thermometer is to cut into the chicken at the thickest part. You’ll want to be sure there are no pink areas and the juices are clear. Without a meat thermometer, you risk overcooking the pan-seared chicken resulting in dried-out chicken breast. 

DIFFERENT SPICE OPTIONS & MEAL IDEAS

Pan-seared chicken is very versatile. It’s wonderfully marinated in your favorite marinade, perfect with dry rubs, or simply delicious with just salt and pepper then finished with a pat of butter.
  • Buffalo Wing Sauce- Buffalo chicken tacos or buffalo chicken salad
  • Italian or Greek Dressing- Delicious on salads
  • Dry Rubs made for Chicken- Great for wraps and salads 
  • Taco Seasoning- perfect for making tacos
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning- Great on a bun with honey mustard dressing

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 24gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1003mgPotassium: 428mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 38IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

Keyword How to pan cook chicken

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The nutritional information provided here is approximate and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. We strive to give you accurate information, but many factors can cause this data to vary widely. For more information, please read our full Nutritional Disclaimer.

How long does chicken breast take to cook in a pan?

Pan-fried chicken breast recipe 2. Heat the oil in a frying pan then add the chicken breasts (skin-side down, if they have skin) and cook for 2-3 minutes or until browned. Then turn over, cover and cook on the other side for 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.

How do you cook flat chicken breast?

Hold sharp knife parallel to cutting board and along one long side of breast; cut almost in half, leaving breast attached at one side. Open breast so it lies flat; cover with plastic wrap. Using flat side of a meat mallet, lightly pound to 1/4-inch thickness. Remove plastic wrap and stuff according to recipe.

How long does it take to cook chicken breast on a flat top?

Add a generous amount of oil and butter to the flat top. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when measured with an instant-read thermometer, flipping once during cooking, about 12 minutes.

How do you cook chicken breast in a frying pan?

Instructions.
Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. ... .
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. ... .
Carefully add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. ... .
Flip the chicken and cook until it reaches 165°F, 5 to 7 minutes more. ... .
Slice and serve..