Easy Baked Skillet Chicken: Your Go-To Recipe for Delicious Weeknight Meals & Freezer Prep
Discover the magic of a truly effortless and incredibly flavorful meal with our easy baked skillet chicken recipe. Infused with savory seasonings and given a quick sear to lock in juices and develop a rich crust, this chicken dish is designed for both immediate enjoyment and savvy meal preparation. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need a delicious dinner on the table without fuss, and it’s equally brilliant for batch cooking. Imagine doubling this recipe, savoring half for tonight’s meal, and then effortlessly transforming the other half into versatile cooked chicken for your freezer. Having pre-cooked chicken ready to go is a game-changer, making future soups, stews, casseroles, and stir-fries wonderfully quick and easy.
One of the best features of this recipe is its minimal cleanup. If you possess an oven-safe skillet, you can seamlessly transition this dish from stovetop searing directly into the oven without the hassle of transferring to a separate baking pan. This “one-pan” approach significantly cuts down on dishwashing, making your cooking experience even more enjoyable. Just remember, when using the same skillet for both searing and baking, a touch of extra olive oil can prevent any unwanted sticking or burning during the baking process, ensuring your chicken emerges perfectly golden and juicy.
Why This Baked Skillet Chicken is a Must-Try
Our baked skillet chicken isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients and techniques can yield extraordinary results. The combination of a quick high-heat sear followed by oven baking ensures the chicken breasts remain incredibly moist and tender on the inside, while developing a beautifully caramelized exterior. This dual-cooking method is the secret to maximum flavor and optimal texture, preventing the dreaded dry chicken that so many home cooks fear.
The carefully selected rub—featuring a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika—creates a universally appealing flavor profile that is savory, slightly smoky, and aromatic. These common pantry staples come together to enhance the natural taste of the chicken without overpowering it, making this dish a versatile base for countless meal pairings. Whether you’re serving it with a simple side salad or alongside hearty roasted vegetables, this chicken always shines.
The Power of Meal Prep and Freezer Cooking
One of the standout advantages of this baked skillet chicken is its incredible suitability for meal prep and freezer cooking. In today’s fast-paced world, having healthy, homemade components ready in your freezer is a true lifesaver. By simply doubling or even tripling this recipe, you can prepare a week’s worth of lunches or several quick dinners with minimal extra effort.
How to Maximize Your Meal Prep with Cooked Chicken:
- Soups and Stews: Add chopped or shredded cooked chicken to your favorite broth-based soups or hearty stews for an instant protein boost. Think chicken noodle soup, tortilla soup, or a creamy chicken and vegetable stew.
- Casseroles: Cooked chicken is the star of many comforting casseroles. Layer it into a chicken and rice bake, a cheesy pasta casserole, or a classic chicken pot pie filling for a quick assembly.
- Salads: Transform a simple salad into a complete meal by topping it with sliced or cubed baked chicken. It’s perfect for Caesar salads, Cobb salads, or a refreshing chicken and avocado salad.
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Create delicious chicken salad, or simply slice and layer it into sandwiches and wraps for a nutritious lunch on the go.
- Stir-Fries: Reduce cooking time for your favorite stir-fry by adding pre-cooked chicken at the very end, just to heat through with the vegetables and sauce.
- Tacos and Quesadillas: Shredded chicken makes fantastic tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. Just warm it up with your preferred seasonings and fillings.
- Pasta Dishes: Toss cooked chicken with pasta, pesto, or a creamy sauce for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Freezing and Thawing Tips:
To ensure your cooked chicken stays fresh and delicious for future meals, proper freezing is key. Allow the chicken to cool completely before chopping, cubing, or shredding. Store it in airtight freezer-safe bags or containers. This prevents freezer burn and maintains flavor and texture. Cooked chicken can typically be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or use a defrost setting on your microwave, then reheat thoroughly before serving.
Recipe
Baked Skillet Chicken
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Ingredients
- 1-½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rub
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Mix spices in a small bowl. Rub seasoning mix onto chicken to coat.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 2 minutes per side.
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Place in a lightly sprayed baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until juices run clear.
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Let the chicken sit on a plate 5-10 minutes before serving. Chop, cube or shred any extras to restock your freezer with cooked chicken.
Notes
Nutrition per serving
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Mastering the Art of Searing
Searing is not just about browning; it’s about flavor development. When chicken hits a hot pan, a chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction occurs, creating hundreds of new flavor compounds and a desirable crust. To achieve a perfect sear:
- High Heat is Key: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding the olive oil. You should see a slight shimmer on the oil.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give each chicken breast enough space. If you overcrowd the pan, the temperature will drop, and the chicken will steam rather than sear, preventing that beautiful golden-brown crust. Work in batches if necessary.
- Resist the Urge to Move: Once the chicken is in the pan, let it cook undisturbed for the recommended 2 minutes per side. This allows the crust to form properly.
Ensuring Juiciness: Baking and Resting Tips
After the initial sear, baking finishes the cooking process gently and evenly. To avoid dry chicken:
- Check for Doneness: The best way to tell if chicken is cooked through is by using a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the breast; it should read 165°F (74°C). While “juices run clear” is a good visual cue, a thermometer offers precision.
- Don’t Overbake: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Stick to the suggested baking time, but always verify with a thermometer.
- Resting is Crucial: The instruction to let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing is not optional. Resting allows the muscle fibers to relax and reabsorb the juices that have migrated to the center of the meat during cooking. This ensures every bite is tender and moist. Slicing too early will result in all those delicious juices running out onto your cutting board.
Customizing Your Skillet Chicken
While our provided rub is fantastic, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different seasonings to match your taste or cuisine preferences:
- Herbs: Add dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or a blend of Italian herbs to the rub for an aromatic twist.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder can add a pleasant heat.
- Smoky Flavors: Smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke can deepen the smoky notes.
- Citrus Infusion: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the chicken after baking, or incorporating lemon zest into the rub, adds a bright, zesty finish.
- Marinades: For even more tender and flavorful chicken, consider marinating the chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) before searing and baking. A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs works wonders.
Serving Suggestions for Every Occasion
This versatile baked skillet chicken pairs well with a multitude of side dishes, making it suitable for various meals:
- Simple & Healthy: Serve with a fresh garden salad, steamed green beans, or roasted asparagus.
- Hearty & Comforting: Mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, quinoa, or a sweet potato bake are excellent choices.
- Mediterranean Flair: Pair with couscous, a Greek salad, and a dollop of tzatziki.
- Weeknight Quick Meals: Alongside instant mashed potatoes or a quick-cooking pasta for a meal ready in under an hour.
Leftovers, if you manage to have any beyond your meal prep, are fantastic cold in salads or sandwiches the next day.
Health Benefits of Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
Boneless, skinless chicken breast is a lean protein powerhouse, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. It’s low in fat and calories but rich in essential nutrients. Each serving provides a substantial amount of protein, which is vital for muscle growth, repair, and overall body function. Furthermore, chicken breast is a good source of B vitamins (like Niacin and Vitamin B6), which play crucial roles in energy metabolism and brain health, as well as minerals like phosphorus and selenium. Incorporating this easy baked skillet chicken into your routine is a delicious way to enjoy these health benefits.
Troubleshooting Common Chicken Cooking Issues
Even with simple recipes, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned. Here are some quick tips to common issues:
- Chicken is Dry: This usually means it’s overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C) and no higher. Remember the resting step!
- No Crust on Chicken: The pan wasn’t hot enough, or it was overcrowded. Ensure the skillet is properly heated and give chicken pieces space to sear.
- Unevenly Cooked: If chicken breasts are very thick on one side, consider pounding them to an even thickness (about ¾-1 inch) before seasoning. This promotes uniform cooking.
This easy baked skillet chicken recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a foundation for smart, flavorful eating. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this dish offers simplicity, adaptability, and delicious results every time. Enjoy the process of creating a meal that nourishes both body and soul, and revel in the convenience of healthy meal prep!
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