The Perfect 30-Minute Easy Skillet Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Easy skillet chicken converts ordinary weeknight meals into something extraordinary.

Imagine a culinary adventure that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum satisfaction.

Perfectly seared proteins dance with bright, vibrant seasonings in a single pan.

The magic happens quickly, blending simplicity with incredible taste sensations.

Home cooks of all skill levels can master this technique without stress or complicated preparations.

Fresh ingredients and smart cooking methods elevate this classic dish from basic to brilliant.

You’ll create a memorable dinner that celebrates delicious simplicity.

Flavor Pairings to Elevate Skillet Chicken

• Savor with Chardonnay: Crisp, medium-bodied Chardonnay perfectly complements the creamy sauce and tender chicken, balancing the dish's rich flavors with its subtle oak and buttery notes.
• Pair with Roasted Vegetables: Herbed roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts create a delightful texture contrast and add earthy undertones that enhance the skillet chicken's savory profile.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Warm, crusty sourdough or French bread becomes an ideal accompaniment, helping soak up the luscious sauce and providing a satisfying textural element to the meal.
• Complement with Citrus Salad: A light arugula salad with segments of fresh orange or grapefruit introduces a bright, zesty counterpoint that cuts through the dish's creamy richness.

Variations of Skillet Chicken You Can’t Miss

• Herb-Infused Chicken Skillet: Replace salt and pepper with a blend of dried thyme, rosemary, and sage for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Variation: Swap regular seasoning with Cajun spice mix, adding cayenne pepper and paprika for a bold, fiery kick that transforms the dish's character.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Upgrade: Sauté sliced mushrooms alongside shallots and garlic, then incorporate cream of mushroom soup instead of half-and-half for a rich, earthy sauce that adds depth to the chicken.
• Asian-Inspired Skillet Fusion: Substitute half-and-half with coconut milk, add minced ginger, and finish with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil to create an exciting cross-cultural flavor experience.

Quick and Flavorful Skillet Chicken Recipe

• Savor Quick Skillet Perfection: This chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality deliciousness in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks craving a gourmet meal without complicated techniques.
• Unlock Rich Flavor Layers: The method of searing chicken creates deep golden-brown crusts while the creamy sauce infused with shallots, garlic, and lemon provides complex, tantalizing taste dimensions that elevate simple ingredients.
• Master One-Pan Convenience: Using a single skillet minimizes cleanup, reduces cooking steps, and allows delicious browned bits to build incredible sauce depth, transforming an ordinary chicken dinner into an effortless culinary experience that feels sophisticated yet totally achievable.

Ingredients for a Perfect Skillet Chicken

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and evenly sized for consistent cooking.

• Vegetable Oil, Butter: Creates rich flavor and helps achieve golden-brown searing on chicken, prevents sticking during cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing chickens natural flavor, provides balanced seasoning throughout the dish.

• Shallots, Garlic: Adds depth and complexity to the sauce, provides subtle sweetness and savory undertones.

• Half-and-Half or Milk, Chicken Broth: Creates creamy, smooth sauce base with rich, balanced liquid consistency.
• Flour: Thickens sauce and provides smooth texture without lumps.

• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy flavor that cuts through richness of the cream sauce.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides fresh, herbal garnish with vibrant color and light flavor.

How to Cook Skillet Chicken with Ease

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat chicken dry completely with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet

Pour oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Wait until the oil shimmers and looks ready to cook.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Add chicken to the hot skillet. If needed, cook in batches. Sear for 6 to 7 minutes until a deep golden brown develops on one side.

Step 4: Flip and Brown

Use tongs to carefully flip the chicken. Brown the other side for another 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate.

Step 5: Create Flavor Base

Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet.

Step 6: Sauté Aromatics

• Shallots
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir occasionally for about 1 minute until slightly softened.

Step 7: Add Flour

Sprinkle flour over shallots and garlic. Stir to coat evenly and cook for 1 minute.

Step 8: Build the Sauce

• Half-and-half or milk
• Broth

Stir constantly to prevent lumps. Scrape any browned bits from the pan bottom.

Step 9: Simmer the Sauce

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 10: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Step 11: Final Touch

Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices before serving.

Tips for Cooking Skillet Chicken to Perfection

• Pat Dry Thoroughly: Use clean paper towels to remove ALL moisture from chicken, ensuring a crispy, golden-brown sear that locks in maximum flavor.
• Season Generously: Don't be shy with salt and pepper; create a flavorful crust by coating every inch of the chicken evenly before cooking.
• Manage Heat Carefully: Use medium-high heat to achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior without burning the meat, watching for the oil's shimmer as your cooking cue.
• Space Matters: Cook chicken in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding, which can steam the meat instead of creating a beautiful crisp surface.
• Sauce Secret: Whisk constantly when adding flour and liquid to prevent lumps, scraping up those delicious browned bits from the pan for extra depth of flavor.

How to Store and Reheat Skillet Chicken for Later

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store your skillet chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed portions will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Method: Carefully transfer chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring you label the container with the date of storage.
• Reheating Technique: Gently warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat to maintain moisture. Add a splash of broth or half-and-half to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally and heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Microwave is a quick alternative, but can make the chicken tough, so use short intervals and stir between each 30-second burst.

Easy Skillet Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired skillet chicken brings sizzling flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Tender chicken and colorful vegetables combine in one pan, creating a quick, delicious meal you can enjoy in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to ½-inch thickness)

Fats and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons (44 milliliters) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) half-and-half or whole milk
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
• Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 3 tablespoons or 45 milliliters)

Aromatics, Seasonings, and Herbs:

• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 small shallot (finely chopped)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (plus more for seasoning)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 small lemon (thinly sliced)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken breasts completely dry using paper towels, then generously season with salt and pepper across all surfaces.
2. Warm vegetable oil or olive oil in a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until surface appears shimmery and hot.
3. Carefully place chicken into the hot skillet, ensuring pieces do not overlap; sear for 6 to 7 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms on the first side.
4. Using tongs, gently flip chicken and continue cooking for an additional 6 to 7 minutes until second side achieves similar rich coloration and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Remove chicken from skillet and transfer to a clean plate, allowing it to rest momentarily.
6. Reduce skillet heat to medium and add unsalted butter, allowing it to melt completely and become slightly foamy.
7. Add finely chopped shallots and minced garlic, stirring frequently for approximately 1 minute until aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
8. Sprinkle all-purpose flour over shallots and garlic, stirring consistently to create a smooth, even coating.
9. Slowly pour half-and-half or whole milk and chicken broth into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent flour lumps and incorporate browned pan remnants.
10. Bring sauce to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat to create a soft simmer, allowing mixture to thicken for 3 to 4 minutes.
11. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the creamy sauce and allowing them to warm through completely.
12. Finish by drizzling fresh lemon juice over the dish, garnishing with chopped parsley and optional lemon wedges before serving immediately.

Notes

• Quick-dry chicken ensures perfect seasoning, creating a flavorful foundation for the entire dish.
• Searing locks in juices, developing a gorgeous golden-brown crust that enhances overall texture and taste.
• Butter transforms pan drippings into a luxurious sauce, infusing shallots and garlic with rich, aromatic depth.
• Flour acts as a magical thickening agent, transforming liquid into a silky, smooth coating that clings perfectly to chicken.
• Half-and-half or milk introduces creamy richness, while broth adds layers of complex, savory undertones.
• Gentle simmering marries all ingredients, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to reach ideal consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 395 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg