• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Megan vs Kitchen logo
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » All Recipes

    Cast Iron Chicken Breast

    Published: Jun 17, 2022 · Modified: Feb 17, 2023 by Megan

    Go to Recipe

    Cast Iron Chicken Breast involves chicken, olive oil, spices, and a lemon. It comes out juicy and full of flavor. I think this will be your new favorite way to make chicken breasts.

    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons

    The best chicken breasts are perfectly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside. My favorite way to achieve that is by using a cast-iron skillet.

    You first sear the outside of the chicken to make it golden brown, then finish it off in the oven to keep the chicken juicy!

    What I love about this cast iron skillet chicken breasts:

    • One Pan Meal: you only need a cast-iron skillet, really cutting down on your dirty dishes
    • Healthy: the chicken is a lean protein that will fill you up!
    • Fresh and Bright: lemony herby flavor with a salty savory finish
    • Quick and Easy: 35 minutes and only involved chicken, olive oil, spices, and a lemon
    Jump to:
    • What you need to make cast iron skillet chicken breasts              
    • How to make this tasty chicken
    • Customize your chicken
    • What to serve with cast iron skillet chicken breasts        
    • How to store
    • Do you have questions?              
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Watch how it's made...
    • Cast Iron Chicken Breast
    • Want more chicken recipes?

    What you need to make cast iron skillet chicken breasts              

    Ingredents for Cast Iron Chicken Breast
    • Chicken Breast: I buy packages that are usually between 1.25-1.5 pounds
    • Olive Oil: helps to sear the chicken and bring out the flavor of the spices
    • Salt: this chicken is perfectly salty
    • Rosemary: adds a fresh floral flavor
    • Thyme: adds a fresh floral flavor
    • Pepper: adds a little spice to the chicken
    • Garlic Powder: adds flavor without having to chop garlic
    • Onion Powder: adds flavor without having to chop an onion
    • Lemon: squeeze lemon on the chicken before it cooks in the oven to tenderize the meat a little, then squeeze the lemon over when it's done cooking to give the chicken a strong lemon flavor

    How to make this tasty chicken

    Ingredients for spice mixture

    Mix salt, rosemary, thyme, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

    Chicken Seasoned

    Pat the chicken dry and season it with the spice mixture.

    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons

    Sear Chicken on one side. Flip the chicken over and squeeze lemon juice over it.

    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons

    Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook the chicken for 17-20 minutes.

    Customize your chicken

    Top with cheese: add finely grated parmesan when there is 7 minutes left on the chicken

    Make it Spicy: swap out the rosemary for ½ tablespoon paprika and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

    What to serve with cast iron skillet chicken breasts        

    • Mediterranean Rice
    • Oven Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
    • Jiffy Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
    • Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

    How to store

    Store any leftover chicken in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.

    Do you have questions?              

    Can I cook chicken breast in a pan with no oil?

    Even if your cast iron is nonstick, you still need oil to help sear the chicken. You will not need a lot of oil, though.

    Tips and Tricks

    Ensure your skillet is hot and the oil is shimmery before adding the chicken. This will help the chicken get nice color on it.

    You only need to sear one side of the chicken before putting the skillet into the oven. The heat of the pan and the oven will help the other side become golden brown without burning.

    Watch how it's made...

    I hope you love this Cast Iron Chicken Breast recipe! If you make it leave a comment! You can also share a photo on Instagram and tag #meganvskitchen. Enjoy!

    Pin
    Email
    Share

    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons

    Cast Iron Chicken Breast

    Cast Iron Chicken Breast only involves chicken, olive oil, spices, and a lemon, but it comes out juicy and full of flavor.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 23 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 226kcal
    Author: Megan
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds of chicken breast
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt dried rosemary, and dried thyme leaves
    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper garlic powder, and onion powder
    • 1 lemon cut in half

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 F.
    • Mix salt, rosemary, thyme, pepper, garlic, and onion powder in a small dish. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Generously season the chicken on each side with the spice mixture.
    • Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large cast-iron skillet or an ovenproof skillet. When the oil is hot, place the chicken in the pan. Cook until the skin starts to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes.
    • Flip the chicken over and squeeze juice from the lemon halves over the top of each chicken breast. Place the lemons in the pan, cut-side down. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 F.
    • Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before cutting it. If you want the chicken to have a stronger lemon flavor, squeeze the lemon halves over the chicken again. Be careful. The lemons may still be hot.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.4g | Protein: 30.2g | Fat: 10.6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.4g
    Don't know what to make this week?Join the email list & get a free e-book: Easy Dinners for Lazy Nights

    I also like cooking thinly sliced chicken breast in a skillet. It makes the perfect chicken for a salad!

    Want more chicken recipes?

    Greek Marinated Chicken Thighs on a cutting bord
    Greek Chicken Thighs
    Easy Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce in a casserole dish
    Easy Enchiladas
    Lemon Pepper Chicken Bites in a skillet with lemons
    Lemon Pepper Chicken
    Pin
    Email
    Share
    « Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
    Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes »

    Reader Interactions

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Megan vs Kitchen, a place for simple Tex-Mex dinners. My goal is to make life easier by sharing easy and reliable dinners that everyone will love.

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    Easy BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich Recipe (Slow Cooker)

    The Best BBQ Brisket Quesadilla

    Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket Tacos

    Easy Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with BBQ Sauce

    Sweet & Spicy Chipotle BBQ Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Megan Vs Kitchen

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories

    Connect

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons
    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons
    chicken in cast iron skillet with lemons