Quick & Easy Stove top Chicken Breast

Everyone needs a basic go-to chicken dish that's fast, easy and ready in no-time! I'm sharing a recipe that I used recently when prepping some chicken for a chicken pita wrap. But this recipe can compliment so many other meals like salads, pasta or roasted veggies. It's also great if you like to meal prep because it can go with just about anything as an easy protein.

The seasonings I used are pretty much standard, staple pantry items. You can definitely add or remove other flavours and seasonings (oregano, basil, cumin, etc.) or omit some of the ones I used (e.g. the cayenne if you're not into spice). I also love fresh garlic in my food, but because we are cooking the chicken on the stove top I didn't want the garlic to burn in the oil. So for this recipe I add the minced garlic in right at the very end, off the heat, as it will quickly cook in the hot oil and release its flavour onto the chicken.

I like cooking chicken on the stove top because I find it's easier to get that nice colour and flavour compared to when I just roast them in the oven. Another tip is that I always cut my chicken breast in half (butterfly each piece) so that it cuts down on the cook time :)

Quick & Easy Stove top Chicken Breast

Serves 6

3 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 tbsp garlic salt

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp black pepper

1/2 tbsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tbsp salt

2 garlic cloves, minced

oil for cooking

1. Mix the garlic salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and salt in a small bowl to combine.

2. Butterfly the chicken breasts to make 6 individual pieces and lie them flat. Rub the seasoning mixture over each piece of chicken, remembering to season on both sides.

3. Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick frying pan and once hot, add the chicken. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes (5 minutes on each side). I like to flip mine over about 2-3 times just to make sure they don't get burned.

4. Now to add in the garlic: Once the chicken is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add in the minced garlic. Tossing the chicken with the garlic for about a minute of so, the garlic will cook in the hot oil and release its flavour! And that's about it :) I cut my chicken into bite sized chunks and made it into a chicken pita wrap with tzatziki, cucumber, red onions and tomatoes. Enjoy!