An impossibly simple recipe for juicy cast iron skillet chicken breast to make on a busy weekend, when you are trying to come up with some healthy dinner and easy lunch for the next day.
The cast-iron skillet is the best pan to make a delicious and juicy chicken breast. We cook these chicken breasts at least once a week, simply because it's healthy and easy, and they go with any side. It is my favorite recipe when it comes to putting a simple and healthy meal on a dinner table.
Jump to:
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients
- How to make cast iron chicken breast
- Tips for success
- Variations and substitutions
- Recommended equipment
- Storage and reheating
- Serving Cast Iron Skillet Chicken
- Tips for success
- Frequently asked questions
- Other chicken recipes you may like
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why you will love this recipe
- cooking in cast iron cookware is one of the safest pans to use, so as stainless steel.
- kid-friendly chicken breast recipe - I add less salt and mild herbs to make these tender chicken breasts healthy enough even for younger kids.
- in so many ways: salads, rice, or quinoa bowls, simply with the side of veggies, sandwiches, and so on. I even used its leftovers to make chicken noodle soup the next day.
- meal prep: this chicken is the best for meal prep and can go with so many different sides in your container.
- simple ingredients to make this flavorful chicken.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs will work great too and they will cook much faster. It is enough to serve 3 or more people. I always try to buy organic chicken. For this recipe choose medium or small chicken breasts.
- Olive Oil: little olive oil for searing the chicken first. You can use here sunflower oil instead, which is even better due to the high smoke point.
- Salt: I used ½ teaspoon of salt in this recipe, which equals 1,150 mg of sodium per 3 chicken breasts. Add more by taste if needed.
- Spiced: I used onion powder, garlic powder, dry oregano, and paprika. Any Italian seasoning is great for this recipe. It has so much flavor but is not spicy if served to smaller kids. If you need to add mild heat, use some black pepper.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make cast iron chicken breast
- Prepare Ingredients and Oven - Preheat the oven to 400° F. Take out the meat and use a paper towel to tap dry the chicken. Let the raw chicken rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes, while making the chicken seasoning. In a small bowl, mix salt, garlic and onion powder, oregano, and paprika.
- Season Chicken Breasts - Rub each side of the chicken breast with the spice mix and a little bit of olive oil. I used about 1 Tablespoon for all 3 breasts.
- Quick Pan Sear: Preheat the cast iron pan on medium-high heat. When the pan is very hot, add the remaining olive oil. Now, lay chicken breasts in a hot pan. Sear chicken on each side for 3-4 minutes. Do not more the chicken until it's time to flip it.
- Bake: Now, put the pan in the oven and bake for 18-23 minutes until no longer pink inside and the thickest part of the chicken breast reaches 165° F. It all depends on the size of the chicken. I always use a food thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked.
- Rest: Transfer cooked meat to the plate, cover with some foil and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for success
- To ensure the meat cooks evenly: bring the meat to room temperature before cooking by letting it rest on a counter for 10-15 minutes.
- The cooing time may vary depending on how large the chicken breasts are. I always recommend using a meat thermometer for best results.
- Make sure to sear the meat on a hot cast iron skillet.
- Chicken breast safe internal temperature is 165°F.
- Let the meat rest after it's cooked by covering it with foil.
Variations and substitutions
Make it spicy: add ½ teaspoon of chili powder to the spice mix.
Make it Italian: use Italian Herbes De Provence mix instead.
Chicken Thighs: you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. Just adjust the cooking time.
Recommended equipment
- Large Cast Iron Skillet Pan: this pan is the best for making this juicy chicken breast.
- Measuring Spoons
- Tongs
Storage and reheating
To store: when the chicken breast cools down, transfer any leftover to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat: place the chicken on a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, flipping it halfway. You can reheat the chicken in the oven (350°F) for 10-15 minutes.
Serving Cast Iron Skillet Chicken
There are many ways to serve chicken breasts. Below are my favorite ones:
- Serve it with your favorite side: rice, buckwheat, or salad.
- Use it for your sandwich: slice the cooked chicken breast in half and put it on your favorite sandwich bread with some lettuce and condiments.
- With Pasta: cut the cooked chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and add them to your macaroni cheese or Alfredo pasta.
Tips for success
- Bring chicken to room temperature by letting it rest on a counter for at least 10 minutes. This will help the meat to cook evenly and be more tender.
- Make sure you use pre-seasoned cast iron skillet.
- Preheat the cast iron skillet very well before adding oil and chicken.
- Once you lay chicken in a pan, do not move it until it's time to flip it.
Frequently asked questions
1. Chose good quality, organic smaller chicken breasts (larger chicken breasts usually turn out dry due to being from the old bird or lower quality bird).
2. Take the chicken out of the fridge for at least 15 minutes to bring it to room temperature.
3. Use a meat thermometer to prevent the chicken from overcooking that can result in drying out.
1. Season the cast iron properly
2. Preheat the cat iron pan very well gradually with a good layer of oil. before adding the chicken.
3. After you are done cooking, after you are done cooking, let the cast iron cool down before cleaning.
Yes, use you can you any favorite seasoning. Make sure to adjust the salt amount if your seasoning is not sodium-free.
Other chicken recipes you may like
- Healthy chicken muffins
- Gluten free chicken meatballs
- How to boil whole chicken (for shredding and sipping broth)
📖 Recipe
Juicy cast iron chicken breast
Equipment
- 1 Cast iron skillet
- 1 set of measuring spoons
- 1 kitchen tongs
- 1 sheet of foil
Ingredients
- 3 medium size chicken breast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or more if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Take out the chicken and let it rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. In a small bowl, add salt and garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika.
- Rub the chicken on both sides with the seasoning mix and a Tablespoon of olive oil.
- Preheat cast iron skillet on medium-high heat with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Carefully place chicken breast in a hot pan. Sear 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden-brown.
- Place the cast iron pan in the oven and bake for 18-23 minutes until chicken is no longer pink inside and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cover with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes . Enjoy!
Notes
- Bring chicken to room temperature by letting it rest on a counter for at least 10 minutes.
- Make sure to preheat the cast-iron pan with some oil.
- Once you lay chicken in a pan do not move it until it's time to flip it.
- For accurate nutrition information, weight the chicken and use the special apps to calculate the calories and macro nutrients.
Stacy
Love how easy this is to make. Cast iron is my favourite way to cook, usually on the BBQ or over a campfire. This recipe is going to be great to use when cooking outside.
Sava's Kitchen
Thank you Stacy. I agree, this recipe can be also great for outside cooking!
Martina
I was currently looking for new recipes to try this weekend, and I'm so happy I came across this one! This looks very delicious and rich in flavour. Thanks for sharing x
Sava's Kitchen
Thank you Martina! Hope you try it soon. This is our favorite simple chicken breast recipe.