Chicken pieces (or cubes) are the foundation of so many delicious family dinner recipes. From pasta to salad to stir fry, everything is better with chicken! Show
Today, I’ll show you how to cook chicken pieces in a pan so they get that perfect sear and stay juicy in the center. You’ll find tips, what equipment to use, and a few marinades and seasoning recipes to make your chicken extra flavorful. Perfectly Pan-Seared Chicken PiecesWhen cooking chicken pieces in a pan, you want the exteriors to be crispy, golden brown, and the centers to be juicy- this is what makes incredible chicken dinners. And it’s much easier to achieve when the chicken is cut into smaller pieces. I also love that you can prep this recipe ahead and keep it in the fridge for a convenient option to add to meals throughout the week. If chicken is your go-to meal builder, then you’re going to love the recipes in my latest ebook, Chicken. It’s What’s for Dinner. It features 70 mouthwatering and kid-approved recipes, everything from slow cooker meals to soups, one-skillet wonders, and sheet pan dinners. THE Only Chicken Cookbook You’ll NeedThe 70+ recipes inside Chicken. It’s What’s For Dinner will make everyone’s favorite white meat more exciting to eat! Whether you’re just learning to cook or know your way around the kitchen, the recipes inside the eBook are simple and delicious. What Do You Need to Cook Chicken Pieces in a PanHere’s what you need to make perfectly cooked chicken with golden, crisp exteriors:
How to Cut Chicken BreastsIn this recipe, we’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. I find this is less time-consuming than trying to cut a whole chicken, remove the skin, debone, and cook it. To cut a chicken breast or thigh into 1-inch cubes, place each fillet onto a sturdy cutting board and hold it with your non-knife hand. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the piece of chicken into ¼-inch slices. Next, cut each of those slices crosswise into cubes. If you want to cook chicken slices for fajitas or a stir-fry, you can just cut each fillet into ¼-inch thin strips. Here’s how to make tender chicken pieces with golden brown crusts in less than 10 minutes:
Watch this video to see the whole process!
How Long to Cook Cubed Chicken Pieces in a PanCubed chicken will cook in a pan in just 7 minutes. I like to give them a good sear on the first side, then flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165F, about 3 additional minutes. There is also a visual cue to look for when checking for doneness that doesn’t involve burning your fingertips. Using the tip of a knife, poke a few chicken pieces. If the juices run red, they need more time, if it’s clear, the chicken is cooked. Seasonings & Marinades for Cooked Chicken PiecesI recommend using a seasoning blend to sprinkle over the cut chicken before cooking. The granules adhere to the surface of the chicken pieces and give them a crust. Marinades will also add flavor, and you can marinate the uncooked chicken pieces overnight then cook it the next day. I have a collection of delicious marinades, and seasonings blends you can use that will add serious flavor.
How to Use Chicken PiecesChicken is my family’s #1 protein of choice and having cooked chicken on hand makes it so easy to add to recipes. You can serve cooked chicken pieces over salads, add them to cooked veggies for a stir-fry, or stir into cheesy pasta. There’s also nothing wrong with keeping it simple and dipping them into your favorite sauce, just like chicken nuggets. How to Cook Chicken Pieces in a PanPerfectly seared chicken pieces so you have juicy chicken every time.
NotesYou can replace the garlic powder, salt, and pepper with 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of your favorite seasoning blend. Nutrition
How long should it take for chicken to cook?Boneless breasts should be cooked for 35-45 minutes depending on the size, while bone-in breasts should be cooked for 40-50 minutes. Boneless thighs should be roasted 20-30 minutes, while bone-in thighs should be roasted for 35-45 minutes.
How do you know when stovetop chicken is done?Poke the meat to see if juices are red or clear
This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.
How long should you cook a chicken breast on the stove?Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 8 minutes without flipping (5 minutes for thin-cut breasts). Flip the chicken and then cook on the second side until well browned and cooked through (internal temperature of 165ºF).
How long does it take to cook chicken from Raw?How to cook chicken. Roast at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 (whole chicken: 25 mins per 500g, plus an extra 25 mins; breasts, 15 mins; thighs and wings, 40 mins). Grill or barbecue (breast, 7-10 mins; cubes or strips, 5-7 mins; drumsticks and thighs, 25-30 mins; wings, 40 mins).
|