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Quick Juicy Butterfly Chicken Breast Recipe for Easy Faster Cooking

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A simple and fast butterfly chicken breast recipe that delivers juicy, flavorful, and tender chicken in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (medium size, about 6–8 oz / 170–225 g each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • A few sprigs of thyme or parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Butterfly the Chicken Breasts (5 minutes): Place a chicken breast flat on your cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice horizontally through the middle, starting at the thicker side, but don’t cut all the way through—stop about ¼ inch (6 mm) from the edge. Open it like a book. Repeat with the second breast. If there’s uneven thickness, gently pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin to even out.
  2. Season the Chicken (3 minutes): Drizzle olive oil over both sides. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika evenly on the chicken. Rub the seasoning in lightly with your fingers to make sure every nook gets flavor. Let it sit for a few minutes if you have time, but no marinating needed.
  3. Preheat the Skillet (2 minutes): Heat your skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water sizzles on contact.
  4. Sear the Chicken (6-8 minutes): Place the chicken breasts flat in the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes without moving them, until golden brown underneath. Flip carefully with tongs and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
  5. Add Butter and Lemon (1-2 minutes): Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and lemon juice to the pan. Spoon the melted butter over the chicken repeatedly for a minute or two.
  6. Rest the Chicken (5 minutes): Remove from the pan and let rest on a plate tented with foil.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs over the chicken and serve immediately.

Notes

Use a sharp knife to butterfly the chicken safely. If chicken browns too quickly, lower the heat to avoid burning. Resting the chicken after cooking is crucial to keep it juicy. For a dairy-free version, skip the butter and finish with olive oil. You can also bake the chicken after searing at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes for hands-off cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: butterfly chicken breast, quick chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, easy chicken dinner, weeknight chicken, fast cooking chicken

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/quick-juicy-butterfly-chicken-breast-recipe-for-easy-faster-cooking/