How to Cook Split Chicken Breast on the Stove Top A Step-by-Step Guide
Cooking split chicken breasts on the stovetop is a simple and delicious way to prepare a quick, protein-packed meal With just a few basic ingredients and techniques, you can have juicy, flavorful chicken breast ready in under 30 minutes
Split chicken breasts refer to chicken breast halves that have been cut in half lengthwise, leaving the breast bone in. This results in a thinner cut of chicken that cooks fast while remaining moist and tender. Plus, the bone adds extra flavor.
Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking perfect split chicken breasts on the stove top
Choose Your Chicken
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Opt for fresh, skin-on, bone-in split chicken breasts. The skin helps keep moisture in during cooking.
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Look for breasts that are evenly sized with the skin intact and no tears. Avoid any with discoloration.
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Plan on 6-8 ounces of chicken per person. Larger breasts may need slightly longer cook times.
Prepare the Chicken
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Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat or skin.
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Loosen the skin from the meat gently without fully detaching it. This helps the seasoning penetrate.
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Generously season under the skin with salt, pepper, herbs, garlic, etc.
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You can also pound the chicken lightly to evenly flatten for quick cooking.
Heat the Pan
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Use a heavy skillet or sauté pan that can withstand high heat. Cast iron or stainless steel works best.
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Heat the pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Add just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom.
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Test the pan temperature by adding a drop of water. It should sizzle on contact when hot enough.
Sear the Chicken
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Place the chicken skin-side down once the pan and oil are heated.
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Resist moving the chicken so the skin gets crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
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Flip and cook the other side for 2 minutes until lightly browned.
Finish Cooking
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Turn heat to medium and cook about 5 more minutes, flipping once halfway through.
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Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F. Insert a meat thermometer to check.
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The total stovetop cooking time is 10-15 minutes for boneless breasts.
Optional Additions
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For extra flavor, add minced garlic, fresh herbs, sliced lemon, etc. in the last few minutes.
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You can make an easy pan sauce by deglazing with chicken broth or wine after cooking.
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Melt in a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to finish.
Serving Suggestions
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Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes before slicing so juices redistribute evenly.
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Slice thin against the grain of the meat for tenderest bites.
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Pair with roasted veggies, pasta, salads, grains, potatoes – options are endless!
Helpful Tips
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Avoid overcrowding the pan, which steams rather than sears. Use two pans or cook in batches for more than 3-4 breasts.
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Let chicken sit at room temperature 20 minutes before cooking for more even results.
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Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken every time. Don’t rely on eyeballing it.
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Save time by pounding the chicken to an even 1⁄2 inch thickness so it cooks fast.
With this easy stovetop method, you can transform humble chicken breasts into a quick, flavorful meal. Adjust herbs, spices, pan sauces, and sides to customize the dish. Enjoy juicy, tender split chicken breast straight from your kitchen in under 30 minutes.
Flavor Variations for Roasted Chicken Breast
- Sweet & Smoky: Use 1-2 tablespoons of homemade dry rub for a sweet and spicy variation of baked split chicken breasts. Delicious served with barbecue sauce as well.
- Italian-Seasoned: Along with the olive oil, season the chicken with 1 teaspoon each of kosher salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
- Swap Out the Salt: In place of the salt use Homemade Seasoned Salt or Adobo Seasoning, for a simple, yet more nuanced flavor.
- Poultry Seasoning: Along with the olive oil and salt, season the split chicken breasts with 1-2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning before baking.
- Lemon Garlic: Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the zest of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Use to rub all over the chicken bake as directed.
- Refrigerate: Allow the chicken to cool and then, if desired, remove the chicken from the bone and shred or dice it into bite-size pieces. Place the chicken into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Place the diced or shredded chicken into airtight freezer-safe bags and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To use frozen cooked chicken, allow the chicken to defrost overnight in the refrigerator or add the frozen chicken directly to casseroles before baking or to simmering soups.
How to Roast Split Chicken Breast
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Use your hands to rub the oil and seasonings into the chicken breasts. This will help the seasonings really adhere to the chicken and every bit of the chicken breast be well-seasoned.
- Bake with an oven-safe thermometer. If you have an oven-safe digital meat thermometer, now is the time to use one. Insert the probe into the thickest part of one split chicken breast and set the temperature to 165 degrees F which is the perfect temperature for chicken. The alarm will sound when the chicken is cooked, ensuring perfectly cooked, always juicy chicken.
- Rest before serving. Allow the roasted chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, as this will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken to stay nice and juicy.
PERFECTLY BAKED BONE IN CHICKEN BREAST
FAQ
How long should I cook a split chicken for?
Roast in the oven for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast and thighs register 165 degrees F (or …May 3, 2023
What’s the difference between a chicken breast and a split chicken breast?
SPLIT CHICKEN BREASTS — Split chicken breasts are simply chicken breasts left on the bone. They are often available at your grocery store for cheaper than boneless chicken breasts. Because they have bone split chicken breasts will take longer to cook than boneless chicken breasts.
How to cook chicken breast on the stove top without drying it out?
- Flatten the chicken breasts. …
- Season the chicken breasts. …
- Heat the pan. …
- Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat for 1 minute without moving. …
- Flip the chicken breasts. …
- Turn the heat down to low. …
- Cover the pan and cook on low for 10 minutes. …
- Turn off the heat and let sit for an additional 10 minutes.
How do you cook a split chicken breast?
Baked split chicken breasts are so affordable and easy to roast and come out so juicy and moist and perfectly cooked. Check out these 3 different seasoning blends to flavor this chicken in different ways! Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up.
Can you cook chicken breast on the stove top?
Cooking chicken breast on the stove top is an efficient way to prepare this lean meat. Unlike baking or grilling, stove-top cooking often results in a quicker meal—perfect for busy weeknights. However, the key to juicy, flavorful chicken lies in mastering cooking times and techniques.
Are baked split chicken breasts good?
Baked split chicken breasts are so affordable and easy to roast and come out so juicy and moist and perfectly cooked. Check out these 3 different seasoning blends to flavor this chicken in different ways! Anyone else feel like they eat chicken ALL. THE. TIME.? I know we do!
How to cook chicken breast in a pan?
Pan-searing is one of the most popular methods for cooking chicken breasts. It involves cooking the chicken in a hot pan with a bit of oil to create a crispy exterior. Here’s how to do it: Prep the Chicken: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial as removing moisture helps achieve a nice sear.
How do you cook a whole chicken breast?
Split chicken breasts – bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves. Two halves make a whole chicken breast, or the complete front of a chicken. Olive oil – just a little olive oil to help the skin brown. Lemon juice – used to deglaze the pan after roasting. Unsalted butter – is melted into the lemon juice to create a delicious sauce.
Are split chicken breasts worth it?
Split chicken breasts are super affordable at the store – I load up when they are on sale – and they are easy to prep and roast. They come out so juicy and moist and flavorful and make a great versatile main dish to serve for dinner any night of the week. And because I make them so much, I wanted to share 3 different ways you can season them.