Easy Pan Seared Chicken Breast

Use this Easy Pan Seared Chicken Breast recipe to cook prepare juicy and flavorful chicken in less than 15 minutes. Use this simple cast iron chicken breast in salads, sandwiches and wraps!

Ever have some chicken breasts in the fridge and you don’t know what to do with them?

When my chicken in the fridge is about to go bad, instead of freezing it, sometimes I will just pan sear it really quick in the cast iron. This way Amy and I can use the precooked chicken on salads, sandwiches, wraps or just on its own.

I just slice the chicken in half horizontally so I have 2 thinner breast pieces. Then, I season the chicken very simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Finally, I sear it in a hot cast iron skillet. There are many ways to prepare chicken breast, but I find that cooking chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet keeps the chicken juicy and allows me to cook it in less than 15 minutes from start to finish!

Kitchen tools

• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Cast iron skillet
• Meat themometer

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to enjoy this versatile cast iron chicken breast recipe. the most obvious way its to serve it over greens for a simple salad. I like to serve it with my lemon kale caesar or with veggie couscous salad for a heartier meal.

You can cut it into slices and serve it on a sandwich, wrap or panini. I like to make a batch of my homemade honey mustard sauce and use it inside a chicken wrap for lots of flavor!

What ingredients will I need to make this simple seasoned chicken breast?

You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this pan seared chicken in less than 15 minutes with ingredients that you already have in your kitchen!

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Could I use different seasoning combinations on this chicken?

Yes! There are so many other seasoning variations that you can use for this chicken. I like to keep the flavor simple and neutral, but here are some other combinations you could try!

Smoky Spice Chicken

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

Simple Curry Chicken

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder

Greek Seasoned Chicken

• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano

Let’s make some Easy Pan Seared Chicken Breast!

Step 1: Slice and season chicken breast

First, slice chicken breasts in half horizontally so you have 2 thinner pieces from each chicken breast. Then, mix salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or any seasonings you are using) in a small mixing bowl.

Season all 4 chicken breast pieces on top and bottom with the seasoning mixture.

Step 2: Sear in cast iron skillet

Next, heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken breast to the pan.

If you only have a small cast iron skillet, cook the chicken in batches. Then, cook the chicken over medium heat for 8 minutes, flipping every 2 minutes.

After 8 minutes the chicken should be fully cooked through with an internal temp of 165F. If it is not, continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.

Then, remove the chicken from the pan immediately and allow to rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes before slicing to lock in moisture.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How long will this cooked seasoned chicken keep in the fridge?

Once prepared, this pan seared chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will be good for up to 4 days. I do not recommend reheating the chicken because it will dry it out, but you can reheat it in a wrap or sandwich!

Check out these delicious side dishes to serve with skillet chicken breasts

• Crispy Baked French Fries
• Classic Creamy Coleslaw
• Buffalo Ranch Potato Salad
• Broccoli Cauliflower and Bacon Salad

You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!

Recipe

Easy Pan Seared Chicken Breast

★★★★★ 5 from 1 review

Juicy pan seared chicken made with simple ingredients.

Recipe By: Madeline

Prep: 7 mintuesCook: 8 minutesTotal: 26 minute

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Servings: 2 servings 1x

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Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp avocado oil

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally so you have 2 thinner pieces from each chicken breast
2. Mix salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or any seasonings you are using) in a small mixing bowl
3. Season all 4 chicken breast pieces on top and bottom with the seasoning mixture
4. Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat
5. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken breast to the pan – if you only have a small cast iron skillet, cook the chicken in batches
6. Cook the chicken over medium heat for 8 minutes, flipping every 2 minutes **the flipping is crucial for getting an evenly cooked piece of chicken!!
7. After 8 minutes the chicken should be fully cooked through with an internal temp of 165F. If it is not, continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes
8. Remove the chicken from the pan immediately and allow to rest on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes before slicing to lock in moisture
9. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.