Dress up your thick and juicy chicken with delicious mix of Italian herbs and spices.
Do you feel like chicken tonight… only not the same old chicken you usually make? I hear ya. I adore chicken. It’s been my culinary savior on so many occasions—so much so I never want to besmirch its good name. But occasionally, I get bored. Yes, it’s as much on me as it is on the chicken, but I just can’t help feeling like I’m on ‘repeat’.
That feeling goes away with this recipe for Seasoned Chicken Breast! You sometimes only need to tweak something for it to feel totally new. That “tweak” comes in the form of my Easy Chicken Seasoning: garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, ground coriander, dried thyme, dried oregano, ground paprika, sea salt flakes, and ground black pepper. Don’t be intimidated by the length of this list; no doubt you have a majority of them in your spice rack already. Prepare a batch and use it not only for your chicken but your sides as well. It’s the seasoning for all seasons!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 recipe of chicken seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
How To Make Seasoned Chicken Breast
Step 1: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Sprinkle the chicken seasoning all over the chicken breasts. Press down so that the seasoning sticks to the chicken.
Step 3: Cover with plastic wrap and let season for 1 hour.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a cast-iron pan on MED-HIGH heat. Unwrap the chicken and add to the pan. Sear both sides.
Step 5: Put the pan in the oven for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Top Tips For Perfect Seasoned Chicken Breast
- Don’t forget to let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking as it gives time for the juices to redistribute.
- Dry brine the chicken by adding to it a sprinkle of salt an hour before cooking. The salt will make your chicken more tender and moist.
- Insert toothpicks into the top of the chicken before covering it with plastic wrap to keep the rub intact.
- I sometimes add some lemon or lime zest to my rub, it gives a nice twist.
FAQs
Do I need to wash the chicken?
No. Any bacteria will be killed during the cooking process. In fact, washing chicken is a great way to contaminate it. Just pat the breasts dry and move on.
I’m having trouble getting my rub to stick to the chicken. What should I do?
Give the chicken a thin coat of oil or melted butter then sprinkle the rub over it.
Why is my chicken dry?
Here are a few suggestions: Try brining it in a mix of salt and water (1 tablespoon of salt to every cup of water). Also, sear the chicken before you bake it and be patient and let the chicken rest after taking it out of the oven. Last, check on its internal temperature while cooking to ensure you don’t leave it in the oven too long, I recommend taking it out once it reaches 165ºF.
Can I cook this chicken entirely on the stove?
Yes, I would still sear it on MED-HIGH for a few minutes. Then lower the temperature to MEDIUM heat to cook it through.
Can I cook the chicken straight out of the fridge?
It’s best to let the chicken reach room temperature before you cook it or you risk unevenly cooked meat.
Serving Suggestions
Easy Baked Sweet Potato: A simple side dish that can be prepared in no time. Have any spice left over? Add it to the potato.
Delicious Potato Wedges: Not feeling sweet potato but want a starch? Potato wedges are the way to go.
Green Chili Rice: For when you want something a bit more substantial. Brown rice mixed with pine nuts, shredded sweet potato, and a variety of spices.
Easy Corn Chowder: If it’s cold where you are, you may want to complement the chicken with a hot bowl of soup.
How to Prep and Store Seasoned Chicken
You need to prep this chicken at least an hour before you plan on cooking it. Apply the rub, cover with plastic wrap then store in the fridge. Take the chicken out and let it come to room temperature. Then sear/cook it on the stove. Any leftovers can either be covered by plastic wrap or tin foil then stored in the fridge. The meat should be good in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the chicken and store it for up to 3 months. Let it thaw completely before reheating.
Seasoned Chicken Breast Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 chicken seasoning*
Easy Chicken Seasoning Recipe - 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle the chicken seasoning all over the chicken breasts. Press down so that the seasoning sticks to the chicken.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let season for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a cast-iron pan on MED-HIGH heat. Unwrap the chicken and add to the pan. Sear both sides.
- Put the pan in the oven for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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