Recipe: Perfect Chicken Breast Hack

A recipe hack is a tip, trick, or shortcut that makes a food or preparation easier or more efficient.  And let’s be honest, those darn chicken breasts could use it!  Our perfect chicken breast hack is not only simple but also saves time and always yields a fabulous result!  Gone are the days of super-thick chicken breasts that end up dry by the time they are finally cooked all the way through.  Instead, we’re slicing each chicken breast into two thinner pieces (we’ll walk you through the details!), which can be cooked on the stove top in under 10 minutes or baked in the oven in just 15 minutes.  Either way, they turn out juicy, tender, and versatile enough to serve as part of nearly any Plate Method meal.

Perfect Chicken Breast Hack

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (8 oz each)
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Salt
• Optional additional seasonings: garlic powder, black pepper, paprika

Directions

1. Remove chicken breast from packaging and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Place each breast on a cutting board, with the thickest part facing the side you’ll be cutting from.
3. Place the hand that won’t be slicing gently on top of the chicken breast.
4. Using a sharp chef’s knife, begin slicing from the thickest end of the chicken breast, parallel to the cutting board.  Strive to cut evenly into a 1/2″ thickness.
5. Use long, sweeping strokes to slice horizontally through the middle, moving toward the thinner end.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 on the other chicken breast.
7. Pat dry again and season each side of the chicken breast with a sprinkling of salt and optional seasonings, if desired.
8. Next, cook your chicken breasts as desired.

Option 1: For stove top/pan cooking

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 2 tsp oil.   Add chicken breasts to the pan, being careful not to overlap or crowd the pan.  If needed, work in batches.  Allow to cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes on the first side.
• Flip the chicken and cook 2-3 minutes on the second side.
• Remove chicken and place on a plate to rest.
• If desired, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit; letting it rest will allow it to reach 165 and retain its moisture for a juicy, tender result.

Option 2: For oven baking

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Place chicken breast on a lined baking sheet or in a baking dish with sides (to catch any juices that may drip).
• Place the baking dish in the oven and cook the chicken for 13-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.  Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tip: Enjoy these quick-cooking and delicious chicken breasts alongside pasta, on top of your favorite salad or slaw, layered into a quesadilla, or sliced onto a sandwich.