Introduction
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a staple in many kitchens, but how long do you cook them for? What’s the best way to cook them? Will they get dry if you over-cook them? We’ve got answers to all these questions and more below.
How long do you cook boneless skinless chicken breast to make it juicy?
You’ll want to cook your boneless skinless chicken breast until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This is considered the safe zone for chicken, and it also ensures that your meat will be juicy and tender when you bite into it.
To check this temperature, use a meat thermometer; if you don’t have one already in your kitchen drawer, they’re very affordable (and useful!) tools–we recommend this one from Amazon. Don’t worry about overcooking; undercooking is much more likely than overcooking when cooking chicken breasts because they tend to dry out if left too long on heat without reaching proper temperatures in their centers.
If you don’t have access to a thermometer or just want an approximate time estimate for cooking boneless skinless chicken breasts, try using our handy chart below! You can also see how long different types of other meats take based off their thickness by clicking here
How to Cook Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast in a Skillet
- Use a non-stick skillet.
- Cook on medium heat and turn chicken halfway through cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through, but not overcooked (165 degrees Fahrenheit).
How Long to Cook Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast in the Oven
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a common protein to cook in the oven. They’re easy and quick to prepare, but you need to know how long you should cook them for best results.
Here’s how:
- Preheat your oven for at least 20 minutes before you start cooking. This will allow it time to heat up fully and make sure that when your dish is ready, it will be cooked thoroughly without burning or drying out any of its contents
How to Tell if Chicken is Done Cooking
- Use a meat thermometer to determine if chicken is done cooking. The internal temperature of the cooked breast should be 165 degrees F.
- The cooking time depends on the size of your chicken breast and how you want it cooked:
- -If you’d like to serve it with a crispy golden-brown crust, cook for 12 to 15 minutes per pound in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). –If you prefer a tender, juicy interior and soft browned edges, cook for 8 to 10 minutes per pound in an oven preheated to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C).
- If you don’t have a meat thermometer and would like some visual cues as well as touch test results, here are some guidelines:
There are several different ways to cook boneless skinless chicken breasts, each with its own set of pros and cons.
There are several different ways to cook boneless skinless chicken breasts, each with its own set of pros and cons.
- The oven: Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Place the chicken on a baking sheet, drizzle it with oil or butter and season with salt and pepper if you like. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 165 F / 74 C.*
- The skillet: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.* Add half of your chicken pieces; do not overcrowd them! Brown each side for about 5 minutes total (or until golden brown). Repeat this process with remaining ingredients so that all sides get cooked evenly.* Once both sides have been well-browned remove from pan onto paper towels while cooking other batches if necessary – because they will continue to cook even after being removed from heat.*
Conclusion
We hope we’ve helped you decide how long to cook boneless skinless chicken breast and what method is best for your needs. Whether you prefer it grilled or pan-seared, there are plenty of options out there!