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How to make the juiciest, most flavorful chicken breast on the stove! This is my favorite way to cook chicken breast- perfect for easy weeknight dinners and it’s extremely versatile!
Ingredients:
- Chicken– Two 8oz chicken breasts work best for this recipe. I have found very large chicken breasts that are 1 lb each- those will work too but you may need to cook them a little longer.
- Sour cream- to coat the chicken, this adds flavor and the acidity helps to tenderize the chicken as well.
- Oil & butter- Cook the chicken in a little oil, and baste with butter for maximum flavor.
- Seasoning- I highly recommend Lawry’s Seasoned Salt! It’s my favorite seasoning for chicken and a little goes a long way. I also use Lawry’s Seasoned Pepper, but you can also just mix back pepper with paprika for a similar flavor. You can add whatever other seasonings you like- I usually add garlic powder and sometimes onion powder, depending on what I’m making the chicken for.
Technique
The seasoning here is important but the technique is even more important if you want to make moist and tender chicken breast every time.
- The sour cream really adds a lot to this! The acidity in the sour cream helps to tenderize the chicken, and it also adds incredible flavor.
- Basting in butter (just like you would a steak) is also a key step in making the chicken super flavorful. You don’t need a lot- just 1 tbsp per pound of chicken.
- Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.
If you follow these tips, I promise you will never cook dry, flavorless chicken breast ever again!
Dinner ideas
I use this chicken breast recipe for pastas, rice bowls, salads, and my Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken Rolls!
The pan juices have so much flavor and you can use it to make other things like gravy, or even season your veggies with it.
One of my favorite ways to make an easy weeknight dinner is to add some veggies to the pan while the chicken is covered and cooking on low. The pan juices add incredible flavor to the veggies and I love having this meal with rice and some avocado. My husband loves this meal with some hot sauce too.
Juicy Stove Top Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, 2x 8oz chicken breasts for best results
- 1 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt, or your favorite seasoning salt
- 1/2 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Pepper, or 1/4 tsp black pepper + 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp sour cream, or greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Season the chicken breast all over with Lawry's Seasoned Salt, Lawry's Seasoned Pepper, and garlic powder. *you can sub the Lawry's Seasoned Pepper for 1/4 tsp paprika + 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Coat the chicken in sour cream (or greek yogurt) and let it rest on the counter for 30 min to marinate and come to room temperature.
- In a skillet on medium high heat, add some oil and sear the chicken breast for 2-3 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over, add the butter and baste the chicken a few times until covered in butter.
- Reduce the heat to low, then cover for about 7 minutes. I use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and take it out of the pan at 160 degrees Fahrenheit (the chicken will continue to cook a little more while resting).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- The pan juices have a ton of flavor and can be used to cook something else (like pasta), pour over your chicken, or make a gravy so don't throw it out!
- Cut the chicken into strips and enjoy with rice & veggies, pasta, salad, & more!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I like the idea of butterflying the chicken….would that adjust the cooking time any at all?
Yes you would definitely need to adjust the cook time, I’d say maybe 2-3 minutes less.
Hi Stella! This has been my weekly go to recipe ever since you shared this reel! There is no other way I can eat chicken now. I used to hate chicken breast because it was so dry no matter which cooking method I tried. I’m so glad you taught me something new! I seriously couldn’t believe how juicy and delicious this turned out!
Interesting treating the chicken like a steak 🥩
Recipe looks and sounds delicious I’m going to have to try it!
Best chicken breast recipe out there. I came across this recipe over a year ago and I have been using it ever since then. It leaves my chicken super delicious, tender, and juicy. You can also pair the chicken with so many dishes. I’ve paired it with pasta, salads, and chicken bowls. Highly recommend giving this recipe a try.
This is SO juicy and my absolute favorite way to cook chicken breast. I always make extra because it’s so versatile.
I tried this chicken recipe two days ago because my sister recommended it. It came out so perfect and juicy! I had it with rice and avocado like you recommended, as well as some green beans on the side. Ps my sister and I have followed you on instagram for a few years and love everything you create. We always talk about how we trust your cooking and recipes! The next two recipes I want to try are your creamy chicken jalepeno rolls and your creamy pesto pasta with chicken. There are so many others I want to try as well! Thanks again for your recipe. 😊
I’ve made this recipe so many times! So delicious and easy to make when I just want something quick and healthy. Thank you, Stella! 🙂
So I thought my chicken recipe on the stove top was pretty good. It always came out juicy. However, this recipe with the added, sour cream makes the world of difference! Thanks for sharing!
This chicken recipe is my new favorite because it’s moist and flavorful. I usually cook extra for salad and quesadilla for kiddos.
This was also my first time cooking chicken breast and it came out incredibly juicy and tender. My husband loved it with some salad! I even shared this on my instagram story which never usually do! Thanks!