Pan Fried Chicken Breasts

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2 servings

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These easy Pan Fried Chicken Breasts come together quickly in one skillet! With an easy garlic butter sauce these are sure to be a family favorite.

Love a classic seared chicken breast? Try my Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breasts or this Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast for something unique!

overhead image of pan fried chicken breasts in black ninja pan

*This recipe is generously sponsored by Ninja and I was compensated for my time. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Recipe Rebel possible!

I know, it seems sort of basic, but these Pan Fried Chicken Breasts are a winner on our dinner table every time.

As much as we love these Slow Cooker Chicken Breast and these (so juicy!) Pressure Cooker Chicken Breasts, there is a golden brown exterior we love that can only be achieved on the stove top.

And in the Ninja NeverStick cookware, these chicken breasts cook up like a dream — with a perfectly crispy sear and juicy interior!

Ninja NeverStick cookware never sticks, chips, or flakes, and it’s oven safe to 500 degrees F, which is perfect for that finishing touch under the broiler when you need it.

close up image of one pan sauteed chicken breast

Sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious, and it’s definitely true in this case.

With a simple seasoning, and an even simpler garlic butter sauce to finish, they pair perfectly with so many things — I’ve given lots of ideas to complete your dinner down below!

Chicken breast seasoning:

For these pan seared Chicken Breasts I borrowed one of our favorite seasoning blends from my Slow Cooker Chicken Breast — with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and salt and pepper, you can whip it up in no time, and it’s a great multi-purpose seasoning for meats, potatoes and veggies if you make a big batch to store in the pantry.

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Chicken Breast cook time:

On medium-high heat, your chicken breasts will likely need about 5-7 minutes per side.

The most important thing is to keep an eye on them, because the type of heat, the type of pan, and the thickness of the chicken can all make a difference in the cook time. And since they cook quickly, you don’t want to leave them on the stove top and walk away, but this is a great time to prep a salad or some veggies.

chicken breasts being drizzled with garlic butter sauce in pan

How do I know when my chicken is done?

The only way to know when your chicken breasts are cooked is to use a meat thermometer, so invest in one now and it will serve you well for many years!

Chicken breasts need to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast before they are safe to eat.

Please do not rely on internal color of the chicken as a method for testing doneness, as they color can vary but internal temperature will never lead you astray.

Variations on this Pan Fried Chicken Breasts recipe:

  • Feel free to switch up the seasoning and experiment a little! If you have a great multi-purpose seasoning you love, that will work fine.
  • Swap the seasoning for taco seasoning, then slice your pan fried chicken breasts and serve with a taco salad.
  • Skip the garlic butter sauce and brush with your favorite barbecue sauce (or another jarred sauce) before serving.
  • Kick up the heat! Add a pinch (or more) of cayenne to the seasoning before coating the chicken.
fork holding slice of pan fried chicken breast

What to serve with these pan seared Chicken Breasts:

These Chicken Breasts pair well with almost anything, but here are a few ideas to get you started!

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Perfect Pan Fried Chicken Breasts

4.95 from 17 votes
These easy Pan Fried Chicken Breasts come together quickly in one skillet! An easy garlic butter sauce makes these a family favorite.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Servings 2 servings
Calories 358cal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil , divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in Ninja Foodi NeverStick pan over medium heat.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the salt, parsley, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika.
  • Trim chicken breasts and flatten if necessary so they are nearly the same thickness across. To do this, cover chicken breast with plastic wrap and use a smooth meat mallet or rolling pin to pound lightly — my chicken breasts are about 3/4" thick.
  • Dry chicken breasts with paper towel, then drizzle each with ½ tablespoon oil and sprinkle with seasoning, dividing it between the two chicken breasts on both sides.
  • Place chicken breasts in hot pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown on the first side. Flip chicken breasts and cook an additional 6-8 minutes, until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the chicken.
  • (If chicken is browning quickly but is not cooked through, add ¼ cup of water to the pan to prevent burning. Continue cooking, and if water has evaporated but chicken is not yet cooked, you can continue adding ¼ cup water each time until chicken is cooked through)
  • Remove chicken to a cutting board to rest and add add butter to pan over medium heat. Let melt and add garlic, cooking and stirring one minute.
  • Slice chicken breasts and serve with garlic butter drizzled over.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 358cal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 813mg | Potassium: 418mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 507IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords chicken breasts, pan fried chicken breasts

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Linda Kellogg says

    Just made this tonight for the first time. 5 stars. Seasoning mix was perfect. This will be going in my keeper book

  2. Nathan Johns says

    My gf and I just had our first child together. A little girl!!! And I have been the one cooking most of the time to give mommy a break. I was looking up simple Recipes and this is the one i am going with. Good job keeping it simple. Men like that. I will let you know how it went! Thanks!!!

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Sorry to hear you had some trouble, Alec. It will depend a bit on your stove top, your pan and the size of your chicken. Which instruction was confusing for you?

  3. Sandra says

    I used a little white cooking wine with the broth that Rebecca mentioned. Even my husband liked it, and he usually doesn’t like chicken or comment that he likes it.

  4. Rebecca says

    This was a big hit with the family! My picky son who usually only eats a few bites ate all on his plate with no complaints. I used 1/4 c of Chicken Broth to the pan instead of water to finish cooking and it was perfect.

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