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Cook the juiciest chicken breasts in a cast-iron skillet with this no-frills recipe and the simplest seasonings.

This recipe includes step-by-step instructions and tips to help you cook great-tasting chicken breasts in the cast-iron skillet without them sticking to the bottom or burning.

top view of five chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet

Pan-Seared Chicken in Cast Iron Skillet

There's a reason your grandmother swears by cooking meat on the cast-iron skillet she's been using since before we were born. It distributes heat very well, which is perfect for evenly cooking just about anything: steaks, roasted vegetables, and chicken! In this post, I’ll focus on juicy, seared chicken breasts.

Like my recipe for cast iron chicken thighs, you only need a few simple seasonings to give the chicken breasts the perfect bronze sear across the surface and rich flavor in every bite.

How to Cook Cast Iron Chicken Breasts

Here’s an overview of how to cook juicy and tender chicken breasts on the stovetop:

Season the chicken both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder after patting it dry with a paper towel, so the seasonings stick to the meat.
Get the skillet HOT before adding oil and cooking the chicken. It helps the meat cook evenly and prevents sticking.
Cook the chicken uncovered, without moving it. Flip it over, and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Allow it to rest 5 minutes before slicing or serving.

How Long to Cook Chicken in a Cast Iron Skillet

It takes 6 to 7 minutes per side and even less for smaller fillets or butterflied chicken breasts. However, for tender and juicy meat, cook chicken by temperature, not time, using a meat thermometer. Chicken is fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165F for white meat and 175F for dark meat. Read more about how to know when chicken is done with and without a meat thermometer here.

When to Flip Chicken

Cook the chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes before flipping, so the edges develop that rich golden sear. If you try to flip them too soon, the chicken WILL stick to the skillet. You'll know it's ready to flip when the side of the chicken facing you has an opaque rim along the edges, and the cooked side easily releases from the skillet's surface.

five chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet

Serving Ideas

You can serve the chicken with a creamy cottage cheese sauce or this lemon garlic sauce. Then finish off your meal with a comfort-food side such as easy pea & carrot ragout, Parmesan risotto, roasted vegetables, Brussels sprouts with bacon, or roasted fingerling potatoes.

Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breasts

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 17

Cook the juiciest chicken breasts in a cast-iron skillet with this no-frills recipe and the simplest seasonings.

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Ingredients

2 tablespoon olive oil*
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ lbs chicken breasts

Instructions

Prep:

Pat dry each chicken breast with a paper towel. Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Cook:

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the surface is hot, add the oil. Place the breasts on the hot surface, uncovered, and cook undisturbed for 6 to 7 minutes.
Flip the chicken over, and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
Remove the chicken from heat and allow to rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

1 to 2 tablespoons of oil is the sweet spot to grease the cast iron skillet; we aren't frying chicken. Oil is thick enough to coat the rough surface of the skillet, and it has a high smoke point, which means you can cook foods at a higher temperature without burning, unlike butter and coconut oil.