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Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast

Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast
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This Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast recipe delivers tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken every time. Using simple pantry ingredients and a precise cooking technique, it ensures a perfectly cooked chicken breast that’s healthy, lean, and versatile, suitable for quick dinners, meal prep, or impressive weekend meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth or water

Optional Variations

  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano (optional herb infusion)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest or 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional citrus twist)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes (optional spicy kick)
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or buttermilk (optional marinade base)
  • 1/4 cup almond meal (for gluten-free crunchy coating, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure good browning. Lightly season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This seasoning builds flavor and helps create a beautiful crust.
  2. Heat the Pan: Warm a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil or butter. Wait until the oil shimmers or the butter melts and starts to foam, indicating the pan is ready for searing.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Gently place the chicken breasts in the pan, leaving enough space between pieces. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the bottom forms a golden-brown crust. Carefully flip and sear the other side for 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add Moisture and Simmer: Pour in a splash (about 1/4 cup) of chicken broth or water, then immediately cover the pan tightly with a lid. Reduce heat to low and let the chicken simmer gently for 6-8 minutes. This locks in moisture, resulting in tender, juicy chicken.
  5. Rest Before Serving: Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and place on a plate. Loosely cover with foil and let rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, enhancing tenderness and flavor.

Notes

  • Use even-sized chicken breasts or pound them to uniform thickness for consistent cooking.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; leaving space helps form an even crust and prevents steaming.
  • Keep the lid on during simmering to trap steam and retain moisture.
  • Allow the chicken to rest after cooking for juicy perfection.
  • Use fresh spices and quality olive oil or butter to enhance flavor noticeably.
  • To reheat leftovers, warm slowly in a covered pan with a splash of broth or water to maintain juiciness.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken breast, tender chicken, juicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, gluten free, healthy chicken, quick dinner, simple ingredients

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/melt-in-your-mouth-chicken-breast/