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Juicy Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts

Name: Juicy Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken breasts (boneless skinless, Smart Chicken); 2 tablespoons avocado oil; ¼ teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon paprika; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; few turns cracked black pepper; ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth; 1 tablespoon butter

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by Sarah Thomas-Drawbaugh November 20, 2024

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Never make dry chicken again with this perfectly Juicy Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts recipe. Easy to make and super versatile, this chicken breast recipe can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

Slice it up and serve it over my Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes or enjoy it with my Lebanese Rice. Option to shred the chicken and use it in my Southwest Chicken Salad for a light and healthy lunch.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Yields juicy chicken. These easy-to-follow steps I learned in culinary school will yield juicy pan roasted chicken breasts every single time.
Customizable. Option to switch up the flavor profile by adjusting the seasoning. Blackened chicken would be a great option too.
Perfect for meal prep. Meal prep this chicken and enjoy it in a variety of ways throughout the week.

About Smart Chicken

For this recipe, I used Smart Chicken’s boneless skinless chicken breasts. If you’re new here, Smart Chicken is the reason I started eating chicken again after 9 years without. Their products are superior in every way. In fact, Smart Chicken’s chickens are fed a high-quality diet, humanely handled, and never given antibiotics, hormones, or animal by-products.

Smart Chicken is USDA Process Verified as pure air chilled, without added water and are hand-trimmed for your convenience. The result is the best-tasting, highest-quality fresh chicken on the market! Click here to find a store near you that carries this delicious whole chicken.

This post is sponsored by Smart Chicken. I was compensated for my time, but all opinions are my own.

ingredients needed for juicy pan roasted chicken.

Recipe Ingredients

Chicken Breasts – You’ll need 1 pound of Smart Chicken’s boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
Seasoning / Herbs – You’ll need kosher salt, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and fresh thyme for this recipe.
Avocado Oil – This recipe calls for avocado oil for pan searing the chicken breasts.
Chicken Broth – You’ll need ¼ – ½ cup of low sodium chicken broth for this recipe.
Butter – Finish the sauce with a dollop of butter for extra flavor.

Variations

Change the spices. Option to use your favorite spice blend for a fun twist on this recipe.
Use chicken thighs. The pan roasting cooking method also works well with chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken.

Expert Culinary Tips

Place the chicken breasts in a sealable bag or between saran wrap and gently pound them with a mallet. This allows for quick, even cooking. It also tenderizes the meat, making it juicier when cooking.
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This absorbs excess moisture on the surface of the chicken and promotes a golden-brown sear.
Use avocado oil. Avocado oil is a neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point. This prevents the chicken from imparting any flavor from the oil.
Make sure you use an oven safe pan with a lid. Deglaze the pan with low sodium chicken broth. This helps lock in the chicken’s natural juices and makes it easier to scrape any crispy bits from the bottom of the pan. It also prevents the chicken from drying out.
Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

chicken breasts in a pan with smart chicken packaging on the side.

How to Make Juicy Pan-Roasted Chicken

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix the Spice Blend

Combine kosher salt, cracked black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well and set aside.

chicken breasts being pounded with a mallet.

Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in a sealable bag or between saran wrap and pound them with a mallet. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.

Step 2: Season the chicken with the spice blend making sure to coat both sides.

Step 3: Heat the avocado oil in an oven safe pan over medium high heat. Once hot but not smoking add the seasoned chicken breasts. Sear for 5-6 minutes.

chicken breasts in a pan with fresh thyme.

Step 4: Once the chicken has a good sear, reduce the heat to low and flip the chicken over. Next, carefully add the low sodium chicken broth and fresh thyme leaves. Cover the pan with a lid and place it in the oven for 10-15 minutes to finish cooking.

chicken breasts with pan sauce and butter in a pan.

Step 5: Remove the pan from the oven and add a dollop of butter to the pan sauce.

Step 6: Once the chicken has rested for 5-10 minutes, slice the chicken and spoon some of the sauce over the top and enjoy.

The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees to ensure doneness. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to prevent chicken from drying out when pan roasting?

Make sure you pound the chicken using a mallet. This allows the chicken to cook quickly and evenly preventing dry chicken.

Can I use chicken thighs instead?

Yes! Thighs or tenderloins will work instead. Cooking time will vary.

Can I make this in advance?

Yes! This is the perfect high protein recipe to meal prep for the week ahead. The chicken can be used in a variety of ways. Over salads, in wraps or shredded.

Other Chicken Recipes to Consider Trying

posted in: Chicken Recipes, Dinner Recipes

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