Juicy, pan seared chicken breasts are easy to prepare and cook in 10 minutes! With flavorful seasonings and simple steps, this will be your go-to chicken recipe to add on pasta, salads, sandwiches and more.
Prepare chicken. Trim away any excess fat. Slice each chicken breast in half, length-wise to create uniformly thin cutlets for even cooking. Recommended but optional: pound the chicken with a meat mallet until uniformly thin. Pat dry. Stir together seasonings until well mixed: salt, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and paprika. Sprinkle seasoning over both sides of the chicken cutlets.
Cook chicken. Heat oil in a large sauté pan to medium heat. Add chicken in a single layer without crowding. Cook, undisturbed for about 4-6 minutes, until browned.
Using tongs, flip the chicken and swirl the pan to coat it in oil so the chicken doesn’t stick. Add butter, allowing it to melt. Swirl the pan and adjust the chicken to coat in butter. Cover with a lid and cook for about 4-7 more minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Periodically press the chicken down with a heatproof spatula to sear all over and ensure even cooking.
Optionally, transfer chicken to a cutting board and allow to cool enough to slice, about 2-4 minutes. Slice into 1/2 -inch strips or serve whole. Serve with chicken fettuccine Alfredo or garlic butter pasta.
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Notes
*Seasonings: you can swap all seasonings with lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning and more. See homemade seasoning recipes in the post.Storing Instructions: Cool chicken breasts completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.Freezing Instructions: Once cooled, store cooked chicken in a freezer-friendly airtight container like a zip bag for 3-4 months.