Delve into the art of making grilled chicken in a skillet. This delightful cooking method brings the smoky goodness of grilling right to your stovetop, allowing you to savor the charred, slightly crispy exterior of succulent chicken, even when outdoor grilling isn’t an option. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps of marinating, seasoning, and searing your chicken in a skillet, ensuring that every bite is bursting with smoky, grilled flavor. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or preparing a delicious protein for a salad or sandwich, learning to make grilled chicken in a skillet will be a valuable addition to your culinary repertoire. So, let’s embark on this mouthwatering journey and discover how to achieve that perfect stovetop grill.
How to make grilled chicken in a skillet
Grilled chicken in a skillet is a cooking method that replicates the flavors and textures of traditional grilled chicken, but it's prepared indoors using a stovetop skillet or grill pan. To create this dish, boneless or bone-in chicken pieces are typically marinated in a flavorful mixture, seasoned, and then seared in a hot skillet. The high heat from the skillet creates grill-like marks and imparts a smoky flavor to the chicken, giving it a charred, slightly crispy exterior while keeping the meat inside tender and juicy. This method is a convenient alternative for those who don't have access to an outdoor grill or prefer to cook indoors. Grilled chicken prepared in a skillet is a versatile base for various dishes, including salads, sandwiches, or simply as a main course served with sides.
Ingredients
- 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken pieces
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Marinade of your choice (e.g., lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, herbs)
Instructions
- Start by marinating the chicken. Combine your choice of marinade ingredients in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. This could include olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken in the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but longer for more flavor, ideally up to 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and let it come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. You can use a non-stick skillet or one that's been lightly greased with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Season the chicken with a bit of salt and pepper.
- Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken pieces. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this can lead to uneven cooking. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
- Allow the chicken to cook without moving it for about 4-5 minutes on one side. This creates grill-like marks and imparts a smoky flavor. The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the chicken.
- Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes on the other side. Ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's fully cooked.
- Remove the grilled chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Optionally, drizzle with extra marinade or fresh herbs for added flavor.Your grilled chicken in a skillet is now ready to be enjoyed as a main dish or used in various recipes like salads, sandwiches, or wraps.
Video
Notes
One important thing to note when making grilled chicken in a skillet is to ensure that your skillet is adequately preheated before adding the chicken. A hot skillet helps to create those desirable grill marks and sear the chicken effectively, giving it that smoky, grilled flavor. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the skillet, as this can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the chicken from searing properly. Cook the chicken in batches if needed to maintain even heat distribution and achieve the best results.
Nutrition
Serving: 75g
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