How to Cook a Chicken Breast

Advanced 20 min 25 steps 18437 views Rating: 3.5/5 Published: 2026-02-10

Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet inside a large, plastic, zippered bag.. Consider brining boneless, skinless chicken breasts.. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

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Steps

1

Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet inside a large, plastic, zippered b

Step 1

Pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet inside a large, plastic, zippered bag.

2

Consider brining boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Step 2

Consider brining boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

3

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

4

Arrange the chicken breasts in a large baking dish.

Step 4

Arrange the chicken breasts in a large baking dish.

5

Brush both sides of each breast with olive oil, then rub both sides with your se

Step 5

Brush both sides of each breast with olive oil, then rub both sides with your seasoning.

6

Bake the chicken for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a cooking thermometer reads 170°

Step 6

Bake the chicken for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a cooking thermometer reads 170°F (77°C).

7

Take the chicken out of the oven, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 7

Take the chicken out of the oven, and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

8

Place the chicken breasts into a plastic, zippered bag and pound it with a meat

Step 8

Place the chicken breasts into a plastic, zippered bag and pound it with a meat mallet until it is ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) thick.

9

Prepare your marinade.

Step 9

Prepare your marinade.

10

Marinate the chicken for at least 1 to 2 hours.

Step 10

Marinate the chicken for at least 1 to 2 hours.

11

Clean and grease your grill, and preheat it to high.

Step 11

Clean and grease your grill, and preheat it to high.

12

Place the chicken breasts onto the grill once it is done heating.

Step 12

Place the chicken breasts onto the grill once it is done heating.

13

Cook the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once.

Step 13

Cook the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, turning once.

14

Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving it.

Step 14

Let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving it.

15

Place the chicken breasts into a plastic, zippered bag, then pound them flat wit

Step 15

Place the chicken breasts into a plastic, zippered bag, then pound them flat with meat mallet.

16

Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.

Step 16

Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.

17

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to smoke a little.

Step 17

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to smoke a little.

18

Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the skillet.

Step 18

Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the skillet.

19

Lower the heat to medium, then cook the chicken for 8 to 12 minutes, turning it

Step 19

Lower the heat to medium, then cook the chicken for 8 to 12 minutes, turning it occasionally using a spatula.

20

Serve the chicken, or use it in your recipe.

Step 20

Serve the chicken, or use it in your recipe.

21

Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of a large saucepan.

Step 21

Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of a large saucepan.

22

Sprinkle some salt and pepper on top of the chicken, then add the lemon slices,

Step 22

Sprinkle some salt and pepper on top of the chicken, then add the lemon slices, fresh thyme, and rosemary.

23

Cover the chicken with water.

Step 23

Cover the chicken with water.

24

Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then let it simmer, covered, ov

Step 24

Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then let it simmer, covered, over low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes.

25

Take the poached chicken out of the saucepan and serve it.

Step 25

Take the poached chicken out of the saucepan and serve it.

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