Description
Succulent herb-crusted chicken breasts bring Mediterranean flavors dancing across dinner plates with elegant simplicity. Crisp herbaceous coating and juicy interior promise a delightful meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
Cooking Fats and Flavoring:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) unsalted butter (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) lemon juice (optional, for freshness)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp exterior during cooking.
- Gently tenderize the meat using a meat mallet, creating uniform thickness for consistent cooking and enhanced texture.
- Craft a robust seasoning blend by combining aromatic spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian herbs.
- Massage the spice mixture comprehensively across both surfaces of the chicken, guaranteeing maximum flavor penetration.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot pan, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust without disturbance for approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Rotate the chicken, revealing a beautifully caramelized surface, and continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Enhance the dish’s richness by introducing butter into the skillet, gently basting the chicken with the melted, flavorful liquid.
- Transfer chicken from heat and allow a brief resting period of 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Elevate the final presentation by delicately drizzling fresh lemon juice over the chicken before serving alongside complementary side dishes.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and flavor.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe and juicy chicken without overcooking.
- Customize the seasoning blend by swapping herbs or adding spicy elements like cayenne or smoked paprika for different flavor profiles.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, preventing dry meat and maintaining a tender, succulent texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg