PERFECT Sauteed Chicken Breasts (Made In 15 Minutes) (2024)

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These sauteed chicken breasts are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Plus, they're an absolute breeze to make. In fact, from start to finish, this recipe for sauteed chicken breasts will only take you 15 minutes to make! So, it's really the perfect healthy chicken recipe to make yourself for a quick lunch or even a busy weeknight dinner!

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The Best Sauteed Chicken Breast

If you're tired of overcooking chicken - or making it the same boring way every time - this recipe is everything you need. It's a simple, quick, and easy chicken recipe that has fantastic results every single time.

Seriously, this sauteed chicken breasts recipe comes out as succulent and juicy as chicken breasts can get, and they're also filled with flavor from the blend of spices and seasonings they're coated in.

Not to mention, this recipe is super fast to make. You just have to season the chicken and then let it cook on the stovetop.

Sounds pretty great, right?!

Now, if you're thinking about what to eat with this pan seared chicken, I've got you covered. I usually eat it with an equally easy-to-make side like these air fryer brussel sprouts, this roasted kohlrabi, this sauteed eggplant, or this sauteed broccoli.

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Ingredients

As far as ingredients go to make these sauteed chicken breasts, all you need are a handful of pantry staples. Honestly, there's a good chance you already have everything you need on hand to make 'em!

Anyway, here's what you'll need:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 0.75lb.)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt, and pepper, to taste

Simple stuff, eh?

By the way, this recipe works with practically any seasoning mix - even just your basic salt and pepper works great if you want to keep it simple. Or you can change up the flavor by using this homemade taco seasoning mix.

Also, if you love simple and easy chicken recipes just like this one, I highly recommend making my air fryer chicken breast recipe or this stuffed chicken recipe next. It happens to use a lot of the same ingredients, and you can put any leftover chicken you have after making this recipe to good use by making that one.

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How to Cook Chicken Breast

As I mentioned earlier, this pan-seared chicken breast recipe is ready in as fast as 15 minutes.

Seriously, that's all the time you need to make perfectly cooked chicken breasts on the stovetop.

So, gather up your ingredients, and let's get cooking!

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Step 1: Prep The Chicken Breasts

Before you get into the recipe, you'll want to make sure your skinless chicken breasts are all the same thickness. So if they aren't, you can either pound them with a meat mallet or slice them lengthwise into equal pieces.

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Step 2: Season The Chicken

Next, you can toss your skinless chicken breasts in a large bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil, add the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of salt and pepper, and give everything a quick mix.

Step 3: Cook The Chicken

Now, you can add the rest of the olive oil to a large skillet and heat it up over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, you can add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook them for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breasts to check their doneness. They should have an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C).

Finally, when they reach that temp, you can just transfer your pan seared chicken breasts to a plate and let them rest for a few minutes - doing this will ensure they end up super juicy.

Enjoy!

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What to Eat with Sauteed Chicken Breasts

These sauteed chicken breasts are so versatile that you can pair them with practically anything!

If you need some ideas though, here are a few of my favorite things to serve with this chicken recipe:

  • Roasted veggies
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Brown rice or cauliflower rice
  • Put it in a tortilla shell to make chicken tacos
  • Add rice, black beans, and shredded cheese to make a bowl with the chicken for a burrito bowl

By the way, if you're looking for something to dip the chicken in, this homemade BBQ sauce is a fantastic choice.

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How to Store Cooked Chicken Breast

This recipe for pan seared chicken breast makes about 2 servings. And honestly, they make excellent leftovers, so feel free to make extras!

Speaking of leftovers, if you have any, you can store the chicken in an airtight container, and it'll last in the fridge for around 3-4 days.

Alternatively, to store the chicken for even longer, you can freeze it and keep it in the freezer for up to 4months. I recommend keeping them in a freezer-safe bag with the excess air squeezed out.

How To Reheat Chicken Breast

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Whenever you're ready to eat these cooked chicken breasts again, you can either just eat 'em cold right out of the fridge, or you can heat them back up.

So, to reheat your sauteed chicken, I recommend using either a microwave or a skillet.

If you decide to use the microwave to reheat it, just cover the chicken with a wet paper towel and cook it in 30-second increments until it reaches your desired temperature.

Alternatively, you can use a skillet/pan to reheat it as well. Just add a little oil to a pan, and then heat the chicken over medium-low heat until it reaches your desired temperature.

FAQs About Sauteed Chicken Breasts

How long does it take to sauté chicken breasts?

How long it takes to saute chicken breasts depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts themselves. With that said, typically, it should only take about 4-5 minutes on each side to sauté chicken breasts. For best results though, you'll definitely want to use a meat thermometer to check that your chicken breasts have reached 165°F (74°C).

How do you sauté chicken without drying it out?

The key to succulent juicy, sauteed chicken breasts is not overcooking them. Sauteeing the chicken breasts to a max internal temp of 165F° - or to 160F° and letting them rest up to 165°F internally - is a foolproof way to ensure the chicken turns out super juicy.

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Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to saute chicken breasts in just 15 minutes!

Honestly, this is one of the quickest and easiest chicken breast recipes you'll ever make.

I like to throw a couple of these pan seared chicken breasts together with some steamed veggies and jasmine rice to make a healthy, satisfying, and of course, incredibly tasty meal. Honestly, it's even a hit with my 2-year-old.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this sauteed chicken breast recipe as much as I/we do.

As always, if you make it, don't forget to leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

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More Easy Chicken Recipes

If you enjoyed how quick, simple, and easy these sauteed chicken breasts were to make, I have more chicken recipes on the blog just like it.

Here are some reader favorites:

  • How to cook chicken tenderloins
  • Oven roasted chicken thighs
  • Blackened chicken
  • Chicken bacon ranch casserole
  • Baked chicken legs
  • Grilled chicken legs
  • Baked chicken breast

Oh, and be sure to check out my Youtube, TikTok, and Instagram pages. I post new recipes on 'em all the time!

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PERFECT Sauteed Chicken Breasts (Made In 15 Minutes)

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

These sauteed chicken breasts are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Plus, they're an absolute breeze to make. In fact, from start to finish, this recipe for sauteed chicken breasts will only take you 15 minutes to make! So, it's really the perfect healthy chicken recipe to make yourself for a quick lunch or even a busy weeknight dinner!

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts (about ¾ lb), skinless, boneless
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt, and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Make sure your chicken breasts are the same thickness. Pound them with a mallet or slice them into equal pieces lengthwise.
  2. In a large bowl, toss together chicken slices, 1 tablespoon olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Rub the chicken with clean hands so it is evenly coated.
  4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add the chicken breasts to a skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and set aside. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
  7. Serve as desired.
Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 250Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 46g

PERFECT Sauteed Chicken Breasts (Made In 15 Minutes) (2024)

FAQs

Is 15 minutes enough for chicken breast? ›

*165˚F IS THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN MUST REACH TO BE SAFE TO EAT. 10-15 MIN.

How long does it take to saute a chicken breast? ›

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and place them skin side down in the pan. Cook, turning once, until firm to the touch, about 5 minutes per side.

Is 20 minutes enough for chicken breast? ›

Roast for 20-25 mins until the chicken is cooked through – check by poking a knife into the centre of each breast to make sure the juices run clear.

Is cooking chicken for 15 minutes enough? ›

Sauté chicken breast 12 to 15 minutes (6 to 8 minutes for flattened chicken or tenders) and 14 to 18 minutes for chicken thighs. Learn how to sauté chicken like a pro with tips from our Test Kitchen. Boil (poach) boneless chicken breast halves 12 to 15 minutes (bone-in chicken breast should cook for about 30 minutes).

Is 15 minutes long enough to fry chicken? ›

Deep Frying Temperature Chart
Oil temperatureTime
Crispy Fried Chicken375 °F12 to 15 minutes (finish cooking in a 200 °F oven, if needed)
Doughnuts375 °F2 to 4 minutes
Egg rolls350 °F4 to 6 minutes
Empanadas360 °F2 to 4 minutes
16 more rows
Oct 9, 2019

Is it better to saute chicken with butter or oil? ›

Can you cook chicken with butter instead of oil? You have to cook chicken at a lower temperature if you bake or pan-fry chicken using butter instead of oil. This is because butter has a lower scorching temperature. Your chicken will cook more slowly, but it's also likely to be juicier and full of more flavor.

Should you saute chicken covered or uncovered? ›

It depends on the cooking method. If you're frying it leave the pan uncovered. If you're roasting it, I like to cover it for the first 45 minutes, then uncover it and let it brown until completely done.

Should I cover the pan when cooking chicken breast? ›

By pan-frying your chicken, you let it get nice and brown on both sides. And, by using a lid, you create a steamy environment that traps in moisture, leaving you with juicy chicken breasts instead of dried out, stringy meat.

Should I cover chicken breast when pan frying? ›

Does covering chicken make it cook faster? If, for whatever reason, your chicken breasts are not cooking quickly enough, you can cover them with a lid while they're in the pan to help them cook through more quickly. The steam will help trap heat and cook the chicken through quickly.

How do you not overcook chicken breast in a pan? ›

And while this might sound obvious, the best way to avoid overcooking a chicken breast is to cook it for as short a time as possible. When you start with cold chicken breast straight from the fridge, it's going to take longer for the middle to heat all the way through.

Is 10 minutes enough for chicken? ›

About 10 minutes per 1/2″ thickness. The thickness at the thickest part of the breast (not the weight) is what determines the time. How long does baked chicken breast last in the fridge? Chicken that has been baked or cooked to the safe 165°F internal temperature lasts in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Is 25 minutes long enough to cook chicken breast? ›

A 4-ounce chicken breast should be roasted at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Knowing how to properly prepare chicken can keep you safe and well-fed.

Is 20 minutes enough for chicken? ›

The rule of thumb for a roast chicken direct from the fridge at 200°C/180°C Fan/350°F is to allow for a cooking time of 20 minutes per pound or 45 minutes per kilo, plus an extra 20 minutes.

Is 15 minutes enough to marinate chicken? ›

How Long to Marinate Chicken. You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat.

Is chicken cooked after 20 minutes? ›

Generally, boneless chicken breasts take around 25-30 minutes to cook in an oven set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, while bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks may take 35-45 minutes. Grilling chicken typically takes around 5-15 minutes per side, while frying chicken can take 5-10 minutes per piece.

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