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Chicken breast is the healthiest cut of the bird. It is high in lean proteins which support muscle growth and repair, and is low in calories and fat. These make it an ideal choice for a healthier diet especially for those who are watching their caloric intake. This quick chicken breast recipe is packed with flavor and will allow you to enjoy this healthy meat without worrying about it being bland.

Chicken breast nutrition facts

According to Healthline, a single serving of chicken breast contains 165 calories, 31 grams of protein, and 3.6 grams of fat. It beats the other popular cuts like wings and legs which contain higher amounts of calories and fats. Plus, chicken wings, drumsticks, and thighs often come with the skin intact while chicken breast is often prepared skinless. Chicken skin is high in saturated fats. To minimize the intake of such fats, go for skinless options.

How do you make chicken breast tasty?

Despite it being such a nutritious cut, chicken breast is not loved by all. It is often seen as the least tasty part of the chicken and that’s probably because of its packed, plain white meat. First, chicken breast needs to be cooked for just the right amount of time to avoid drying out (dryness is one of the commonest reasons why people dislike this valuable cut). Secondly, you can make chicken breast tasty by choosing the right seasonings to add to it.

How to make chicken breast quickly and correctly

As described in this recipe, you can whip up an extremely delicious quick chicken breast dish on the stovetop. Pan-searing allows you to use high heat and cook it quickly, so it does not dry out. Also, you are able to baste the meat as it cooks using the drippings from it mixed with the seasonings that you used. This step gives you an amazing final result of richly coated chicken breast that is juicy on the inside and marvelously delicious.

The must-have seasonings for pan-seared chicken breast

I recommend that you have freshly crushed garlic, paprika, black pepper, and salt for this recipe. These are what I consider the base ingredients for a flavorful chicken breast. Garlic adds that unmistakable aroma while paprika adds that beautiful red color that does a good job of masking the whiteness of the chicken breast, especially after it is cooked. Black pepper enhances the overall flavor while salt rounds it all up.

Onto these must-have ingredients, you can add a few powdered spices and herbs to further elevate the flavor of this quick chicken breast dish. These can vary depending on personal preferences as well as availability.

Optional and replaceable seasonings for this recipe

Olive oil: A healthy oil that is usually the perfect option for combining seasonings for pan-fried as well as baked dishes. But you can replace olive oil with avocado oil, regular vegetable oil, or butter as the base for mixing the seasonings. You can also opt to sprinkle dry seasonings on the meat if you are looking to cut on the use of oil.

Butter: Butter in this recipe is used in searing the chicken breast. Note that it easily burns and darkens on high heat. So, if you are looking for deeper browning of the chicken breast, you might want to consider a high-heat oil. You can replace butter with any oil of your choice, including regular vegetable oil. This also applies to lactose-intolerant individuals.

Powdered spices: I used coriander powder, onion powder, and garam masala to add some richness in both flavor and appearance to my dish. All these are replaceable with other powdered spices of your choice. Just ensure that you mix spices that work well together.

Herbs: I used dried rosemary and parsley in this recipe. Herbs add aroma and richness to the coating of the chicken breast, making it more appealing to the eye. These herbs are also fully replaceable. You can also go for fresh herbs if they are available to you. Just pick a maximum of two and chop them up finely.

Chicken breast in a bowl with seasoning mix

Print The Recipe

Quick Chicken Breast In Butter, Garlic, and Spices

Recipe by MaggieCourse: MeatsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

165

kcal

Total time

minutes

Most of the spices used in this recipe are fully replaceable.

Ingredients

Chicken breast – 4
Butter – ¼ cup
Olive oil – ¼ cup
Freshly crushed garlic – 1 tbsp
Paprika – 1tbsp
Coriander powder – 1tsp
Onion powder – 1tsp
Garam masala – 1tsp
Rosemary – 1tsp
Parsley – 1tsp
Black pepper – 1tsp
Salt to taste

Directions

Wash the chicken breast and dab dry with paper towels. Place one piece at a time on a chopping board and slit diagonally, about an inch apart, and a third of the breast thickness in. Repeat from the other direction to create cross-slits. This step allows for faster cooking and the meat gets to hold the seasoning much better. Place all the slit pieces in a large bowl.
Crush fresh garlic cloves.
Prepare the seasoning in a separate bowl. Mix all the dry spices, crushed garlic, olive oil, and salt.
Pour the seasoning onto the chicken breast pieces and rub it in, preferably using your hands, until each piece is well coated.
Heat a wide and heavy pan or skillet on medium heat. Melt the butter in it.
Add the seasoned chicken breast pieces and increase the heat to medium-high. Note: butter burns quickly, so try not to use high heat. If your pan is light, you may need to keep the heat on medium throughout.
Cook until the bottom is well browned. Flip and cook the other side until browned too.
Once both sides are well browned, cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10-15 minutes to ensure the chicken cooks through. The internal temperature of a fully cooked chicken breast should be 165F. The cooking time should be enough for the juices from the meat to run clear and begin to dry up on the pan, leaving behind a thick sauce rich in the seasonings used.
Baste the chicken breast in the thick sauce, then take off the heat.
Use the remaining sauce on the pan to cook baby carrots (like I did) or any other vegetables for added flavor. You can also keep this sauce and drizzle it on the chicken breast when serving.
Serve the chicken breast with any starches and vegetables of your choice. See serving suggestions below with links to some delicious recipes.