Do you love trying out new recipes but dread the idea of spending hours chopping vegetables or marinating protein after a long day? I certainly do. The exhaustion sets in, and suddenly ordering takeout seems like the easiest option. That's when recipes like this one become a lifesaver.

With just a handful of ingredients, this pan-fried chicken breast recipe offers a delicious solution that pairs seamlessly with a variety of sides. Whether it's roasted potatoes, a fresh salad, asparagus, brussels sprouts, green beans, or even nestled between two slices of bread for a juicy chicken sandwich, the versatility of this chicken dish knows no bounds. It's the perfect go-to for those evenings when you crave something that will be satisfying and flavorful but without all the fuss.

Pan-fried chicken is a timeless classic that never fails with its crispy exterior and juicy interior. This recipe can serve as a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting meal to satisfy your cravings with a balance of flavors and textures. With just a few simple ingredients and a trusty skillet, you'll enjoy a meal that celebrates the essence of home-cooked goodness.

Stats

• Prep time: 20-30 minutes
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 45 minutes
• Serving size: 1-2 people

What You’ll Need

• 10in fry pan or 12in fry pan: Either of these sizes will be able to accommodate this recipe. It’s best to use either a cast iron or stainless steel fry pan as they can tolerate high heat well. A cast iron skillet will offer excellent heat retention, and a stainless steel pan will offer more heat control.
• Cutting board: For pounding the chicken breast
• Boning knife: This will be helpful if you have a large chicken breast that you want to cut down before pounding
• Meat tenderizer: Use the meat tenderizer to pound chicken about an inch thick. Doing this allows the chicken to cook more evenly and faster than a thicker chicken breast. If you don't have a meat tenderizer you can use a rolling pin.
• Two pairs of tongs: To avoid cross-contamination, use one pair of tongs to transfer the raw meat from the plate to the pan and the second to remove the cooked chicken from the pan to the plate.
• Meat thermometer: Using a meat thermometer will eliminate any guessing if the chicken is cooked thoroughly and will ensure you don't accidentally overcook it.

Ingredients

• 1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
• 1/3C any neutral oil. Avoid using olive oil or butter as they have a lower heat tolerance.
• 1 1/2tsp salt
• 1tsp garlic salt
• 1tsp garlic powder
• 1tsp pepper
• 1tsp paprika
• 1tsp onion powder
• 1tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2C all-purpose flour (I use gluten-free all-purpose flour)
• 3 sprigs of parsley
• 1 lemon

Instructions

Step 1: Pound Chicken

• Place the chicken on your cutting board. Cover the chicken with a piece of plastic wrap. Use a meat tenderizer to pound chicken to about 1in thick. If you have a thick chicken breast use a boning knife to cut the chicken in half before pounding it.

Step 2: Season

• Season chicken breasts with garlic salt, salt, black pepper, and paprika on both sides. Add more or less seasoning to your taste.
• In a small bowl whisk together flour, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.

Step 3: Cook Chicken

• Place your fry pan/skillet on your stovetop over medium-high heat.
• Once the pan is hot add 1/3C neutral oil (add more if needed to cover ½-inch of the bottom of the pan.
• Once the oil is heated to approximately 350°F, add the chicken to the flour mixture and shake off excess flour before adding it to the hot pan with one set of tongs. Depending on the size of your pan, you might be able to fit more than one chicken breast in the pan. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan to avoid uneven cooking.
• Cook chicken for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown on the exterior and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 4: Enjoy

• Once the chicken is fully cooked use your clean second pair of tongs to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
• While your chicken is resting chop up a few springs of parsley. Sprinkle over the chicken and squeeze a cheek of fresh lemon over the top.
• If you have any leftovers put them in an airtight container for storage and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Tips

• If you find the oil is getting too hot while cooking or there isn’t enough oil in the pan, add more. Adding more oil to the pan will allow the temperature to drop slightly, which means the chicken will cook at a slower rate.
• The measurements for this recipe are for 1lb of chicken or 2 chicken breasts. If you have more chicken, add more seasoning. Also, feel free to add other spices or omit any that aren’t to your taste. The beauty of this recipe is it allows a lot of room for creativity with the overall flavor profile.
• I don’t recommend using a nonstick or ceramic fry pan or skillet for this dish. This type of cookware doesn’t have as high of a heat tolerance, and you could potentially damage the nonstick coating by overheating it. Instead, opt for stainless steel or cast iron as they have a higher heat tolerance and will allow for more heat retention and control.
• After cooking, allow the leftover oil to cool before wiping it up with paper towels and disposing it into the trash can. Do not pour oil down the sink as it can clog your drains, and once it enters the sewer system it can contaminate water sources.
• To avoid cross-contamination, make sure you are thoroughly cleaning the items that raw chicken has come in contact with. If you have a dishwasher, I recommend placing those items in the dishwasher for thorough sanitation. If you don’t have a dishwasher, handwash the items in hot soapy water twice and then sanitize your sink afterwards. Finally, sanitize your workstation where you were cutting and pounding the chicken.

Delicious Side Dish Recipes

Here are some recipe ideas that would pair nicely with this chicken dish:

• Skillet Mac and Cheese
• Dutch Oven Potatoes
• Skillet Cornbread
• Asparagus

Final Thoughts

This dish is a delicious weeknight meal, and it feels fancy enough that you could make it to impress a date with some flavorful food!

I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your home as it has in mine. If you’re looking for more recipes or on the hunt for cookware, knives, or other kitchen necessities, reach out to a Curated Kitchen Expert. We’d be happy to set you up with the perfect items so you can spend less time researching and more time cooking!