How to Cook Juicy, Tender Chicken Breasts with Crispy Skin

Cooking bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts can seem intimidating. But with the right technique, it’s easy to achieve tender, juicy meat with crispy, flavorful skin. Here’s a simple guide to cooking perfect chicken breasts every time

Why Cook Bone-In Chicken Breasts?

Bone-in chicken breasts have a few advantages over boneless:

• The bone helps keep the meat moist and juicy during cooking by insulating the inside of the breast

• The skin gets ultra-crispy and adds great texture and flavor.

• Bone-in cuts are often cheaper than boneless

• Many people find the flavor better with the bone-in.

So while boneless chicken breasts are convenient, bone-in truly delivers superior taste and texture.

Picking the Right Chicken

• Choose breasts labeled “split” so one half of the breast is attached to the backbone. Or buy a whole breast and slice it in half yourself.

• Opt for the largest breasts you can find as they’ll have a higher meat to bone ratio.

• Make sure the skin is intact, not torn or missing sections.

• Go for the best quality chicken you can afford. Free-range and organic offer superior flavor.

Prepping Chicken Breasts for Cooking

Proper prep is key for bone-in chicken breasts:

• Trim excess fat/skin: Use kitchen shears to trim off any large pieces of fat or loose skin.

• Pat dry: Dry the chicken breasts very well with paper towels. Extra moisture on the skin will steam instead of crisping.

• Season under the skin: Slide your fingers between the skin and meat to detach. Rub seasoning directly onto the meat.

• Salt the skin: Sprinkle salt evenly over the top of the skin. This helps dry out the skin and boosts flavor. Let sit 20-30 minutes.

How to Cook Chicken Breasts for Crispy Skin

A combination cooking method works best:

• Pan-sear: Start by pan-searing the breasts skin-side down to render fat and get crispy skin. Use medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.

• Finish in the oven: Transfer breasts to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F until cooked through, about 25-35 minutes.

• An instant-read thermometer should read 165°F at the thickest part. If not using a thermometer, cut into a breast to check doneness. The meat should be white throughout with no pink.

Tips for Extra Crispy Chicken Skin

If the skin isn’t as crispy as you’d like, try these tricks:

• Pat the skin very dry before seasoning. Use paper towels to absorb moisture.

• Let salted chicken breasts air dry in the fridge up to overnight before cooking.

• Start with a hot skillet/oven to quickly render fat and dehydrate the skin.

• Brush skin with oil before baking to enhance browning.

• Broil the chicken for 1-3 minutes at the end to finish crisping the skin. Watch closely to avoid burning.

• Prop up the breasts on the wire rack so air circulates completely around each piece for even crisping.

How to Keep Chicken Breasts Juicy

To prevent dried-out chicken breasts:

• Don’t overcook. Breasts only need to reach 165°F.

• Allow breasts to rest 5 minutes before cutting so juices redistribute.

• Add a brush of oil, butter, or pan juices on top of the baked chicken right when it comes out of the oven. This bastes the meat and keeps it moist.

• Wrap chicken tightly in foil and let sit if it finishes cooking early. The insulation holds in steam and warmth.

• Brining is an option too. Soaking in a saltwater brine seasons the meat and helps it retain moisture.

• Cook at a high enough temperature that the inside cooks through before the outside overcooks. About 400°F is ideal.

Complementary Seasonings and Sauces

Simple salt and pepper is all you need, but other seasonings to consider:

• Herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil

• Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder

• Citrus: lemon, lime, orange zest

• Other: mustard, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki

And flavorful sauces like chimichurri, tomato salsa, or compound butter can be served alongside.

The Perfect Side Dishes

Crispy skin chicken breast pairs well with:

• Roasted vegetables like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower

• Greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, asparagus

• Grains like rice, quinoa, couscous, pasta

• Fresh salads with vinaigrette dressing

Satisfying Meals to Make with Chicken Breasts

• Chicken tacos or fajitas with peppers and onions

• Chicken Caesar salad with croutons and Parmesan

• Chicken sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, and bacon

• Chicken Parmesan over angel hair pasta

• Chicken pot pie with carrots, peas, and flaky crust

• Chicken fried rice with egg, peas, and soy sauce

With this handy guide, you’ll be able to cook moist, delicious bone-in chicken breasts with an irresistibly crunchy skin every time. Crispy chicken dinners await!