6 Simple Ways to Cook Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts, especially boneless and skinless ones, are a go-to for weeknight dinners. They pair well with almost any seasoning, taste great, and provide a solid source of protein for your meals. The biggest advantage (and sometimes drawback) of this versatile cut is that it cooks quickly, which means you need to know the best techniques to ensure they stay flavorful and juicy. Here are some simple tips for cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts and how to prepare them in different ways.

How to Cook Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Boneless chicken breasts are perfect for cooks on the go because they cook faster than bone-in cuts. However, they can dry out quickly, so it’s important to cook them over high heat for a short period of time. Pan-frying, sautéing, baking, or grilling are all great options for cooking them. Sautéing, in particular, is convenient because you can make sauces in the same pan.

How to Sauté Chicken Breasts

When it comes to cooking boneless chicken breasts, sautéing, pan-frying, and pan-searing are basically the same thing: cooking the chicken in a small amount of oil (like vegetable oil, olive oil, or butter) in a heavy-bottomed skillet, or using non-stick cooking spray. It usually takes about 10 minutes. The chicken is done when it’s no longer pink in the center, the juices run clear, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

How to Poach Chicken Breasts

When chicken is part of a larger dish, such as chicken noodle soup, poaching is a perfect method. This involves placing the chicken breasts in a pan, adding liquids (water, wine, broth, or juice are common choices), and seasoning with herbs, vegetables, or citrus. For more poaching tips, check out our complete guide. Remember, chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How to Bake Chicken Breasts

Baking is another quick method that works well because the high heat helps give the chicken a nice color on the outside while keeping it tender and juicy inside. Coat the chicken with oil or marinade before baking, and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

How to Make Stuffed Chicken Breasts

For a more elegant dinner, you can stuff chicken breasts for added flavor. Here’s how:

1. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to gently pound the thickest part of the breast until it’s about 1/8 inch (0.6 cm) thick. This increases the surface area and makes it tender enough to wrap around the stuffing.

2. Remove the plastic wrap and season the chicken as desired.

3. Prepare your stuffing and place 2-3 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each flattened chicken breast. Common stuffings include cheese, vegetables, and nuts. Fold the bottom and sides of the chicken over the filling, then roll it up and secure with toothpicks. Repeat with each breast.

4. To enhance flavor and texture, consider brushing the rolled chicken with sauce or topping with parmesan breadcrumbs.

5. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the chicken rolls seam-side down in a shallow baking dish. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center (internal temperature should be 165°F or 74°C). Remove the toothpicks before serving.

How to Cook Chicken Breasts in an Air Fryer

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray, then place the chicken in the basket. Set the air fryer to 370°F (175°C) and cook for about 18-20 minutes or until fully cooked.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders:
Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips. Beat an egg and dip the chicken pieces in the egg wash, then coat with seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C), spray the basket with cooking spray, and place the breaded chicken in the basket. Cook for 12 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should be 165°F or 74°C).

How to Grill Chicken Breasts

For grilled chicken, season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with your favorite spices, then place them on the grill over medium heat. Grill for about 15-18 minutes for 6 to 8 oz breasts. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Now that you have these simple methods for cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts, you can easily prepare juicy and flavorful chicken dinners for your family.