This Perfect Stovetop Chicken Breast is succulent, tender, and guaranteed to delight the senses with herby garlic butter and crispy skin.
When we were growing up on my family farm, my siblings and I would pester my mom with this dreaded question almost every afternoon: “What’s for dinner?” During one particularly dreary autumn season, she responded with “Chicken!” one too many times for my younger brothers. Fed up with their constant complaining, she gave them free rein of the kitchen and told them they were welcome to come up with a more exciting dinner of their own. Needless to say, they didn’t complain about chicken dinners after that! Now that we’re all grown up, we have a lot more appreciation for my mom’s dinner rotation. And when my brothers called me recently for advice on quick and easy dinners for their own kids, I was more than happy to send them this recipe for the perfect stovetop chicken breast.
This stovetop approach to preparing chicken breast truly takes the guesswork out of getting the perfect flavor and texture every time! The chicken is seared in olive oil to create a crisp, golden exterior before being basted in garlic herb butter. Garlic powder, oregano, and thyme add depth to this dish, while a splash of chicken broth keeps everything moist and rich with flavor. The resulting aromatic sauce coats every bite in herby goodness.
This foolproof chicken breast recipe is ideal for everything from quick weeknight dinners to elegant family gatherings. You could even prep this dish in advance for a couple nutritious and flavorful lunches to pack for work. And with a few simple adjustments, you can also personalize this versatile recipe to your exact tastes. Let’s take a look at customization options in more detail now.
Tips and tricks for customizing your chicken breast
While I absolutely love this recipe as written, there are also a number of different ways you can customize this dish to make it uniquely yours. Looking to add a little heat to your chicken breast? You might consider adding spices like smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes to your garlic butter. Not a parsley or thyme person? Not a problem! You could swap these herbs with fresh rosemary, basil, or even sage.
If you’re trying to get more produce in your diet, you can also add some fresh veggies during the last few minutes of cooking this dish. Just toss some spinach, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes in the pan and cook to taste.
For another flavor boost, I recommend adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest over your chicken just before serving. Finally, you can also use a bit of Greek yogurt to create a creamy pan sauce. After removing your chicken from the pan, simply whisk a tablespoon of Greek yogurt into the remaining pan juices. Simmer briefly to create a flavorful, velvety sauce.
Feel free to experiment with these and other customization tips and tricks until you find the perfect combination for you!
How do I store leftovers?
After your chicken has cooled completely, you can transfer any leftovers into an airtight container. You can store these leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can warm them gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. I also suggest adding an extra splash of chicken broth while reheating to ensure the dish stays moist. If you have leftover garlic herb butter, I recommend storing this separately in a small airtight container. You can store your leftover butter in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving suggestions
This dish is versatile enough to pair with a wide range of other dishes, so it’s a great recipe to keep on hand. For a light meal, you could serve your chicken breast with this Apple-Walnut Salad or these Roasted Brussels Sprouts. If you’re going for more of a comfort food vibe, you could also serve this dish with Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Twice-Baked Potatoes, or these Breadsticks. Finally, you can also cut any leftover chicken breast into thin slices to add in a wrap, sandwich, or even your favorite pasta dish.
Perfect Stovetop Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium chicken breasts with skin
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- To make the garlic herb butter, combine the softened butter with the chopped garlic and chopped parsley. Set aside.
- Combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, chopped thyme, and olive oil and season the chicken breast with it.
- Heat a skillet over high heat then add the seasoned chicken breasts skin-side down. Cook for 5 minutes until the skin is crispy.
- Flip the chicken breasts and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until the chicken is done.
- Reduce the heat and add the garlic herb butter. Pour in the chicken broth and simmer for 2 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the chicken until coated.
- Remove the chicken from the heat and let rest for a few minutes, then serve. Enjoy!
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