Juicy Chicken Breast for Easy Meal Prep

This easy, juicy chicken breast recipe is a go-to for meal prepping and works perfectly for a variety of dishes throughout the week. No need to butterfly or pound the chicken—just a few simple steps to get a tender, flavorful result.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast (fresh)
• Salt, pepper, and paprika (or your favorite seasoning)
• Olive oil in a spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Shred and store: Once rested, slice and enjoy the chicken while it’s still juicy. For meal prep, shred the remaining chicken and store it in the fridge for easy protein options throughout the week. I use this chicken shredder (will link), which works better than a handheld mixer or forks.
2. Prep the chicken: Let the chicken breasts come to room temperature for a few minutes so they’re not ice-cold when cooking. Open each breast out flat (no need to butterfly or cut them).
3. Season the chicken: Lightly season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. These seasonings pair well with any meal.
4. Heat the pan: Spray your pan with olive oil spray and heat it over medium heat. I recommend this olive oil spray. Once the pan is heated, place the chicken breasts in it and immediately increase the heat to medium-high. (Don’t set the heat to medium-high before adding the chicken to avoid burning the olive oil.)
5. Sear the chicken: Cover the pan and cook the chicken for 6 minutes. This will give the chicken a nice sear on one side.
6. Finish cooking: After 6 minutes, lower the heat to low-medium, flip the chicken, cover the pan, and cook for another 12 minutes. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly without drying out.
7. Rest the chicken: Once the 12 minutes are up, leave the lid on and turn off the heat. Move the pan to a cool burner and let the chicken rest for 15 minutes. The residual heat will finish cooking the chicken, keeping it juicy and tender.
8. Shred and store: Once rested, slice and enjoy the chicken while it’s still juicy. For meal prep, shred the remaining chicken and store it in the fridge for easy protein options throughout the week. I use this chicken shredder, which works better than a handheld mixer or forks.