Cast Iron Chicken Breast {Juicy + Tender} – by Gastro Guru

Discover ways to make forged iron hen breasts for a straightforward and flavorful protein that’s prepared in lower than quarter-hour! This foolproof cooking methodology all the time leaves you with crispy-on-the-outside and juicy-on-the-inside hen. 

Love forged iron recipes? Strive my forged iron pizza, forged iron salmon, and forged iron steak.

I all the time depend on hen breasts as a straightforward, quick, and attractive protein to pair with dinners and lunches. Cooking hen within the forged iron skillet is my absolute favourite technique to cook dinner them after I want one thing fast and simple.

Why I like this recipe

• It’s so quick and simple! There’s no marinating, sophisticated seasonings, or prolonged cooking methods concerned. Simply pan-fry in a forged iron skillet, then serve!
• Forged iron = crispy juicy hen breasts. Forged iron is a professional at conducting warmth, which implies the hen breasts will simply develop a stupendous golden tender sear on the skin whereas staying juicy on the within.
• Seared hen breasts pair effectively with all the things. They’re the proper recipe for dinners and meal prep, as they’re nice with all your favourite aspect dishes, from salad to pasta to grains.

Elements wanted

• Hen breasts. Use skinless or skin-on hen breasts. Or, if all you’ve are boneless hen thighs, be at liberty to make use of them as a substitute (or make my forged iron hen thighs). Simply know that they’ll take a couple of minutes longer to cook dinner by way of.
• Olive oil. To stop the hen from sticking to the pan and to assist kind a beautiful golden crust. Any oil works, together with vegetable oil or canola oil.
• Butter. To infuse taste into the hen.
• Italian seasonings. It is a pre-mixed mix of dried basil, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, and thyme. Make your individual or use a store-bought combine.
• Kosher salt and black pepper. For further taste within the spice combine.
• Smoked paprika. For that attractive smoky taste. 

How you can cook dinner hen breasts in a forged iron skillet

I’ve included step-by-step photographs beneath to make this recipe straightforward to comply with at dwelling. For the complete printable recipe directions and ingredient portions, scroll to the recipe card on the backside of this publish.

Step 1: Make the spice combine. Whisk the Italian seasonings, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Step 2: Season the hen. Rub the spice combine throughout every hen breast. End by drizzling olive oil over every one.

Step 3: Cook dinner within the forged iron. Soften the butter in a preheated forged iron pan over medium warmth. Add the hen breasts, flip as soon as, and cook dinner till golden brown and crisp on each side.

Step 4: Relaxation, then serve. Switch the seared hen breasts to a chopping board to relaxation for five minutes for the juices to redistribute. Serve together with your favourite sides, and luxuriate in!

Recipe ideas and variations

• My #1 tip to keep away from dry or overcooked hen breasts is to verify the interior temperature with a meat thermometer. Totally cooked hen is fit for human consumption as soon as it reaches 165F. Saying that, as a result of we’re resting it for 5-10 minutes, you may take away it from the pan at 155-160F.
• Preheating forged iron for five to 10 minutes is crucial as a result of it may possibly stop the hen from sticking. Maintain your hand over the skillet to really feel if it’s sizzling sufficient earlier than inserting the hen inside.
• Add parmesan cheese to the Italian seasoning combine for a tacky, salty factor in every chew (for this reason we make hen cutlets so usually!).
• You may play with the flavors by swapping the Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, contemporary herbs, or the seasoning mix of your alternative.

Storage directions

To retailer: Leftovers may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. 

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled hen breasts in a ziplock bag and retailer them within the freezer for as much as 2 months. 

Reheating: Microwave the hen for 20 to 30 seconds or reheat it in a heat skillet over medium warmth.

Continuously requested questions 

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Initially printed January 2023, up to date and republished April 2024