Olivia Carter
Marinated chicken breast is a delicious and versatile dish that can be cooked in many different ways. One popular method is to cook it in a skillet, which gives the chicken a crispy exterior and locks in the marinade’s flavors.
Before you start cooking, it’s important to marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. You can use a store-bought marinade or make your own using a combination of your favorite herbs, spices, and liquids like lemon juice or soy sauce. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be.
To cook the marinated chicken breast in a skillet, start by heating some oil over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken breast, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and gets a nice golden color.
Cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. If you prefer a crispy crust, you can cook the chicken for a few minutes longer on each side.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure that the chicken stays moist and tender. Serve the marinated chicken breast with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
Prepare the Marinated Chicken Breast
Before cooking the marinated chicken breast in a skillet, it is important to properly prepare it to enhance its flavors and ensure that it cooks evenly. Follow these steps to prepare the chicken breast:
1. Gather the Ingredients
First, gather all the necessary ingredients for marinating the chicken. This usually includes chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices you prefer.
2. Marinate the Chicken
In a mixing bowl or a resealable plastic bag, combine the olive oil, minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices. Mix well to create a marinade.
Place the chicken breasts into the marinade and make sure they are fully coated. You can use a fork or a pair of tongs to flip the chicken and ensure that both sides are evenly covered with the marinade.
Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, marinate the chicken breasts for several hours or overnight.
3. Preheat the Skillet
Before cooking the chicken, preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. This will ensure that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly.
If you prefer, you can also preheat the skillet in the oven by placing it inside while the oven is preheating.
4. Remove Chicken from Marinade
Take the marinated chicken breasts out of the refrigerator and remove them from the marinade. Allow any excess marinade to drip off, but do not rinse the chicken.
5. Pat the Chicken Dry
Using paper towels, pat the chicken breasts dry. This will remove any excess moisture from the marinade and help achieve a better sear when cooking.
6. Table:
| Ingredients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 2 |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic cloves | 2, minced |
| Lemon juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Additional herbs/spices | As desired |
By following these steps, you will have perfectly prepared marinated chicken breasts that are ready to be cooked in a skillet. Enjoy the delicious flavors and textures that this dish brings to the table!
Choose the Chicken Breast
When it comes to cooking marinated chicken breast in a skillet, it is important to start with high-quality ingredients, especially the chicken breast itself. Choosing the right chicken breast can make a significant difference in the taste and texture of the final dish.
Here are some tips to help you choose the best chicken breast for your skillet recipe:
1. Freshness
Choose chicken breast that is fresh, not frozen. Fresh chicken will have a firm texture and pinkish color. Avoid chicken that has a slimy appearance or a strong odor, as these are signs of spoilage.
2. Skinless and Boneless
For skillet cooking, it is best to choose skinless and boneless chicken breast. This makes it easier to marinate and cook, as well as removing the need to adjust cooking times for different parts of the chicken.
3. Size and Thickness
Look for chicken breast pieces that are similar in size and thickness. This will ensure that they cook evenly and at the same rate. Thicker pieces will take longer to cook, while thinner pieces may dry out quickly.
Note: If you have varying sizes of chicken breast, you can pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. This will help them cook evenly.
By choosing the right chicken breast for your skillet recipe, you are setting yourself up for a delicious and tender dish. Take the time to select the best chicken breast available to ensure the best possible outcome.
Prepare the Marinade
To cook marinated chicken breast in a skillet, it’s important to start with a flavorful marinade that will enhance the taste of the meat. Here’s how to prepare the perfect marinade:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined.
- Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure it’s evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap.
- Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but ideally, let it marinate for 2-4 hours. This will allow the flavors to penetrate the meat and make it more tender and flavorful.
- During the marinating process, you can occasionally flip the chicken or gently massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even distribution of the flavors.
- Once the chicken has finished marinating, it’s ready to be cooked in a skillet. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any excess marinade.
Now that you’ve prepared the marinade, you’re one step closer to enjoying delicious marinated chicken breast cooked in a skillet. The next step is to cook the chicken to perfection!
Marinate the Chicken Breast
To begin, you will need to marinate the chicken breast in a delicious marinade. Marinating the chicken helps to infuse it with flavor and also helps to tenderize the meat. Here’s how to marinate the chicken breast:
1. Prepare the Marinade
In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients. This can include a combination of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, spices, and salt. Mix well to ensure that all the ingredients are well incorporated.
2. Preparing the Chicken Breast
Place the chicken breast in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Using a fork, poke a few holes in the chicken breast to allow the marinade to penetrate the meat better. This will help to ensure that the chicken is evenly flavored.
3. Marinating the Chicken Breast
Pour the marinade over the chicken breast, making sure to coat it evenly. If using a dish, cover the chicken breast with plastic wrap. If using a plastic bag, seal it tightly, removing as much air as possible. Place the dish or bag in the refrigerator and allow the chicken breast to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For a more intense flavor, you can marinate it for up to 24 hours.
Remember:
Marinating the chicken breast for too long can result in a mushy texture, so be mindful of marinating times. Longer marinating times are best for tougher cuts of meat rather than chicken breast.
Pro tip:
If you’re in a hurry, you can still get great results by marinating the chicken breast for just 15 minutes, although the flavor won’t be as intense.
Cooking the Marinated Chicken Breast
Once the chicken breasts have finished marinating, it’s time to cook them in a skillet. Follow these steps to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection:
Step 1: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels. Discard any remaining marinade.
Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of cooking oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Step 3: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
Step 4: Cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Step 5: While cooking, avoid constantly flipping the chicken as this can prevent it from developing a nice golden crust.
Step 6: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures juicier and more flavorful meat.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Thicker cuts may require longer cooking times.
Heat the Skillet
Before starting the cooking process, it is important to properly heat the skillet. This will ensure that the chicken breast cooks evenly and has a nice sear on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.
First, choose a skillet that is large enough to accommodate the chicken breast without overcrowding. A cast iron skillet is ideal for this recipe as it retains heat well and distributes it evenly.
To heat the skillet, place it on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Allow it to preheat for a few minutes until it is hot but not smoking. To test if the skillet is ready, sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface. If the water sizzles and evaporates quickly, the skillet is hot enough and ready to use.
Once the skillet is hot, add a small amount of cooking oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil. Swirl the oil around to coat the bottom of the skillet evenly. This will prevent the chicken breast from sticking to the pan during cooking.
Tip: If you want to add some extra flavor to the chicken breast, you can use flavored oils, such as garlic-infused olive oil or chili oil.
After adding the oil, allow it to heat up for a minute or two until it shimmers. This indicates that the oil is hot and ready for cooking.
Note: If you prefer a healthier cooking option, you can skip the oil and use a non-stick skillet instead.
Cook the Chicken Breast
Once your chicken breasts have finished marinating, it’s time to cook them in a skillet. Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly cooked, juicy chicken:
Step 1: Preheat the Skillet
Place a skillet over medium-high heat and allow it to preheat for a few minutes. This will ensure that your chicken breasts cook evenly and develop a nice sear on the outside.
Step 2: Add the Chicken Breasts
Remove the marinated chicken breasts from the marinade and carefully place them in the hot skillet. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet, as this can cause the chicken to steam instead of sear.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Cook the chicken breasts for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
It’s important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. Thicker breasts may require a longer cooking time, while thinner ones may cook faster.
During the cooking process, you can baste the chicken breasts with the marinade to infuse them with additional flavor. Simply spoon the marinade over the chicken as it cooks.
Remember to always use clean utensils when basting raw chicken to prevent cross-contamination.
Step 4: Let the Chicken Rest
Once the chicken breasts have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender chicken.
While the chicken is resting, you can cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm.
Congratulations! You have successfully cooked marinated chicken breasts in a skillet. Serve them as a main course or use them in a variety of recipes.
Enjoy your delicious, flavorful chicken!
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to marinate chicken breast?
You will need chicken breast, olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
How long should I marinate the chicken breast?
It is recommended to marinate the chicken breast for at least 30 minutes, but you can also marinate it overnight for more flavor.
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as thighs may take slightly longer to cook.
What temperature should I cook the chicken breast at?
You should cook the chicken breast over medium-high heat, around 165°C (325°F), until it reaches an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F).
What can I serve with marinated chicken breast?
You can serve marinated chicken breast with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, rice, salad, or mashed potatoes.
