Make perfectly juicy cast iron chicken breast in under 30 minutes with a flavorful dry rub and crispy golden crust. Great with salads, pasta, or veggies.
Before You Cook, Read This!
💬 The Vibe: Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of bold seasoning. Cast iron magic in every bite.
🔑 What You Gotta Know: Pat your chicken dry and season generously. Sear it undisturbed, then finish it in the oven until just under 165°F.
🍴Best Bite Alert: Slice it and serve with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, over a bed of greens, or in a crusty sandwich with garlic aioli.
This Cast Iron Chicken Breast is juicy, golden, and packed with flavor thanks to a bold blend of garlic, paprika, and lemon pepper. It’s my go-to recipe when I want perfectly cooked chicken with crispy edges and a tender center. All done in under 30 minutes!
It pairs beautifully with any side dish, can top a fresh salad, or be tucked into sandwiches. Bonus: it’s meal prep friendly and makes great leftovers.
Let's get started!
Why You’ll Love This Cast Iron Chicken
- Perfectly juicy with a golden sear.
- Simple ingredients, big flavor.
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Easy to meal prep and reheat.
- Versatile enough to serve in endless ways.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - The star of the show. You can also use bone-in, skin-on, or thighs.
- Oil - A high smoke point oil like canola, avocado, vegetable, or even light olive oil.
- Garlic Powder - Adds depth without burning like fresh garlic can.
- Paprika - For smoky warmth and that beautiful golden color.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning - Zesty and bright with a peppery kick.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Don’t skip these. Freshly cracked black pepper adds extra flavor.
👉🏾See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
How to Make Cast Iron Chicken Breast
Preheat: Set oven to 400°F and place your cast iron skillet on the stove.
Mix the seasoning: Combine garlic powder, paprika, lemon pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub all sides generously with the spice blend.
Sear the chicken: Heat oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes.
Flip and finish in oven: Turn the chicken over, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F to 163°F.
Rest and serve: Remove from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve warm. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for Juicy Chicken
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before cooking.
- Dry the chicken thoroughly to get a better sear.
- Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
- Rest the meat after cooking to keep juices locked in.
- Add onion powder or a pinch of cayenne for extra flavor.
What to Serve with Cast Iron Chicken
- 🥔 Mashed potatoes and green beans
- 🥦 Roasted or steamed vegetables
- 🥗 A fresh salad with vinaigrette
- 🍚 Rice, quinoa, or couscous
- 🍞 Crusty bread and garlic butter
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Storage Tips
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Reheat: Warm in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until heated through.
Want More Tasty Recipes? Try These:
- Chicken Alfredo Broccoli Casserole
- Easy Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
- Cast Iron Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Hibachi Chicken
- Jerk Chicken Tacos
- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Ribeye Steak
Got a question or a favorite way to serve this Cast Iron Chicken Breast? Drop it in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Thighs are juicy and flavorful. They may need a bit more time in the oven.
Use any oven-safe skillet or sear in a regular pan and transfer to a baking dish to finish.
Nope. It’s flavorful, not spicy. Add cayenne if you want a little kick.
📖 Recipe
Cast Iron Chicken Breast
Equipment
- 1 cast iron skillet or large oven-safe skillet
- 1 tongs
- 1 cutting board
- 1 sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin the recipe by grabbing a large (10-inch or 12-inch) cast iron skillet and placing it on the stovetop. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Using a small bowl, prepare the dry rub by stirring together the 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the 1 ½ pounds chicken breast by using a paper towel to fully dry both sides of the chicken.
- Generously rub all sides of the chicken with the seasonings. Heat the cast iron skillet over medium-high (level 6), once heated add the 2 tablespoons oil and allow it to fully heat up. Add the seasoned chicken breast and cook it for 5 minutes undisturbed.
- Carefully using a pair of tongs, turn each piece of chicken over to the opposite side.
- Place the skillet into the oven and allow it to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 163 degrees F. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven.
- Remove the chicken breast from the skillet and allow it to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes before cutting to serve. Enjoy warm with a delicious salad or your favorite side dish.
Video
Notes
- Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before cooking.
- Dry the chicken thoroughly to get a better sear.
- Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
- Rest the chicken after cooking to keep juices locked in.
- Add onion powder or a pinch of cayenne for extra flavor.
Original post date 03/08/2023. Updated 07/15/2024 and 04/08/2025.
Mike says
I loved how my chicken for this recipe came out. It was so juicy, and full of flavor.
LaKita says
Thank you! Glad to hear you found the recipe a success 🙂