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Quick and Easy Pan Fried Chicken Breast: Crispy Skillet Dinner in 20 Minutes

Pan Fried Chicken Breast: A Juicy, Crispy Skillet Dinner

Enjoy this delicious pan fried chicken breast recipe that delivers crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy meat in under 20 minutes. It’s Chef John’s take on a speedy, flavor-packed weeknight meal that’s perfect for busy families.

Why This Pan Fried Chicken Breast Recipe Works

  • Quick & Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes.
  • Crispy Skin: High-heat searing locks in crunch.
  • Juicy Interior: Resting ensures perfect tenderness.
  • Minimal Ingredients: Simple pantry staples deliver max flavor.

Ingredients for Juicy Pan Fried Chicken Breast

  • 4 boneless chicken breast halves with skin
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)

Step-by-Step Pan Fried Chicken Breast Instructions

  1. Prep & Season: Pat chicken dry to ensure a crisp crust. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.
  2. Heat the Skillet: Warm a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and smashed garlic for aroma.
  3. Sear the Skin: Place breasts skin-side down. Cook undisturbed for 7–8 minutes until golden and crisp.
  4. Flip & Finish: Turn chicken over, reduce heat to medium, and cook 6–7 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Rest & Serve: Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice against the grain and plate with your favorite sides.

Tips & Variations for Pan Fried Chicken Breast

  • Herb Butter Finish: Toss in a pat of herb butter in the last minute for extra richness.
  • Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the seasoning.
  • Citrus Twist: Squeeze lemon over the chicken before serving for brightness.

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Total Time:

Servings: 4 servings

Juicy pan fried chicken breast in a skillet

Now savor every bite of your pan fried chicken breast and share this easy skillet dinner with family and friends.

Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts

This chicken breast skillet recipe is Chef John's version of pan-roasted chicken breasts that cook fast and stay juicy for an easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 462

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless chicken breast halves with skin
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary optional
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed (optional)

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove moisture for a crisp skin.
  2. Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and dried herbs if using.
  3. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and garlic cloves.
  4. Place the chicken skin-side down. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the skin is golden brown and releases easily.
  5. Flip the breasts, reduce heat to medium, and continue cooking for 6-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Transfer the chicken to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 462kcalProtein: 45gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 244mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes

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