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Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast

Melt In Your Mouth Chicken Breast

The Crispy Chef
This melt-in-your-mouth chicken breast recipe delivers ultra-juicy, flavorful chicken with a golden crust and simple seasoning. No sauce needed—just pure chicken perfection, done in under 30 minutes with foolproof results every time.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 285 kcal

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Plastic wrap or parchment paper
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Small mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs/900g)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp dried thyme
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil (45ml)
  • 3 tbsp butter (45g)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 0.25 cup chicken broth or white wine (60ml)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (15ml)
  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to ¾-inch thickness for even cooking.
  • Brine in 2 tbsp salt + 4 cups water for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Optional but recommended for juicier chicken.
  • Combine all dry seasonings and rub evenly over both sides of chicken. Let sit at room temp 15–20 mins.
  • Heat olive oil in oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken undisturbed for 5–6 minutes.
  • Flip and sear another 3–4 minutes until golden. Don’t flip again to preserve crust.
  • While searing, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Add butter and garlic around the chicken (not on top). Let melt and infuse for 1 minute.
  • Transfer skillet to oven and cook 15–20 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • Remove chicken to plate and tent with foil. Rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
  • Return skillet to stovetop. Add broth + lemon juice, scrape browned bits. Stir in herbs and optional flavor boosters.
  • Spoon pan sauce over sliced chicken and serve with your favorite sides.

Notes

Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even results. Don’t skip pounding to ensure even thickness. Use fresh herbs for finishing when possible. Make extra to slice over salads or toss in pasta during the week!

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 54gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 610mgVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword easy chicken, juicy chicken breast, melt in your mouth, oven chicken
Tried this recipe?Mention @Thecrispycheff or tag #Thecrispychef!