This Skillet to Oven Chicken is one of the simplest meal prep recipes I make every single week. Perfectly seasoned chicken breasts are seared in a hot skillet until golden brown, then finished in the oven with butter and garlic for juicy, flavorful chicken that works for just about any meal. Whether you’re building salads, grain bowls, wraps, or quick weeknight dinners, this chicken is an easy protein option to keep on hand.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how versatile it is. The seasoning blend is simple enough to pair with almost anything while still delivering plenty of flavor. The quick skillet sear creates a beautiful golden crust, while finishing the chicken in the oven helps keep it tender and juicy. This recipe has become a staple in my weekly meal prep routine alongside my Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Halves. I almost always have both prepped in the fridge because they make throwing together balanced breakfasts, lunches, and dinners so much easier.

This chicken is perfect sliced over salads, like my Chicken Protein Pasta Salad or Honey Mustard Chicken Salad and equally delicious chopped into chunks for pasta dishes, soups, and casseroles. It also works great as a shortcut for recipes like my Pineapple Chicken Rice Bowl or any of my bowl recipes, helping you cut down on cooking time throughout the week. The possibilities are truly endless, which is exactly why this recipe has become such a staple in my weekly meal prep routine.

How to Make

Pat the chicken breasts dry using paper towels and season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the oil. Carefully place the chicken into the skillet and sear each side until deeply golden brown.

Reduce heat slightly and add butter and smashed garlic cloves to the skillet. Spoon some of the melted butter over the chicken.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and finish baking. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. 

Tips and Tricks

• Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help create a better golden crust.
• If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness for more consistent cooking.
• Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the chicken to another pan.
• Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to help retain moisture.
• Use a meat thermometer and cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F.

How to Save and Store

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave, skillet, or oven until warmed through.

**this post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission for products purchased through my link.

If you make the Skillet to Oven Chicken, I would really appreciate a comment and rating down below the recipe card. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me over on Instagram, Tiktok, or Pinterest!

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Juicy Skillet to Oven Chicken Breasts (Ready in Under 30 Minutes)

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Hannah Kling

This Skillet to Oven Chicken is one of my favorite meal prep staples. Chicken breasts are seasoned with simple pantry spices, seared until golden brown, then finished in the oven with butter and garlic for juicy, flavorful chicken that's perfect for salads, bowls, wraps, soups, and easy weeknight meals throughout the week.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 2 breasts

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves (smashed, more minced)

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels to help them develop a beautiful golden crust when searing. If the chicken breasts are especially thick, gently pound them to an even thickness to promote more even cooking and prevent the edges from drying out before the center is cooked through.
• Add the chicken to a plate or cutting board and season both sides with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the oil.
• Carefully place the chicken breasts into the hot skillet and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until deeply golden brown. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed during this time to help create a flavorful crust and prevent sticking.
• Reduce heat slightly and add butter and smashed or minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Spoon some of the melted butter over the chicken.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 8–12 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Notes

• Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps create a deeper golden-brown crust during the sear.
• Pound thicker portions to an even thickness. This helps the chicken cook more evenly so the thinner ends don’t dry out before the center is done.
• Let the skillet get properly hot before adding the chicken. A hot pan creates an instant sear, locking in moisture and building flavor.
• Don’t move the chicken while it sears. Allowing it to cook undisturbed helps develop a beautiful crust and prevents sticking.
• Let the chicken rest before slicing. Resting for 5–10 minutes allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of running out onto the cutting board.
• Slice against the grain. This creates more tender bites and helps the chicken stay juicy.
• Choose similarly sized chicken breasts. Uniform sizes ensure everything cooks at the same rate and prevents some pieces from overcooking.

Did you make this recipe?Don’t forget to tag @lovelydelites across all social media platforms!