Keto Chicken Skillet Recipe: A Classic for Every Family Gathering!

Hello everyone! Anne here, ready to share another beloved family recipe from my kitchen. Today, I’m thrilled to present a dish that’s been a crowd-pleaser at our gatherings for years: The Chicken Skillet Recipe.

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a quick and easy solution without compromising on taste. Whether cooked with fresh vegetables, savory herbs, or a creamy sauce, a chicken skillet delivers a satisfying, hearty meal that the whole family can enjoy.

With minimal cleanup and endless customization options, it’s a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced cooks looking to create a comforting, homemade dinner with ease.

Enjoy it as a standalone dish or pair it with your favorite sides.

Why You Will Love This Recipe?

1. Quick and Easy: This method is my go-to for a reason—it’s incredibly fast and straightforward. You get a perfectly cooked chicken breast in no time, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

2. Perfect Browning: Pan-searing gives the chicken a deliciously golden crust that you just can’t achieve with baking. The high heat creates a beautiful sear, adding both flavor and texture.

3. Versatile Seasoning: One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can switch up the seasonings. Whether you’re in the mood for something spicy, herby, or savory, you can adjust the spices to suit your taste, making it feel like a new dish each time.

4. Meal Prep Friendly: I love cooking a couple of chicken breasts at the start of the week. Slice them up and store them in the refrigerator, ready to add to salads, pastas, sandwiches, or bowls. It’s a quick prep that ensures you have an easy, healthy protein option on hand.

5. Perfect for Any Meal: This recipe is incredibly flexible. Pair your pan-seared chicken with veggies for a simple meal, or incorporate it into a variety of dishes. The possibilities are endless, making it a staple in your weekly meal planning.

Cooking Boneless vs. Bone-In Chicken Breasts

Boneless Chicken Breasts: The technique below is perfect for boneless chicken breasts, whether they have skin or not. Boneless chicken cooks quickly and evenly on the stovetop, making it ideal for a fast and easy meal.

Bone-In Chicken Breasts: Bone-in chicken breasts need a bit more time to cook properly. To avoid burning the outside while ensuring the inside is fully cooked, it’s best to use the oven. For a delicious way to prepare bone-in chicken, check out my Herb Roasted Chicken Breast recipe. This method ensures the meat stays juicy and flavorful.

How Long to Cook Chicken Breasts in A Skillet

Cooking chicken breasts in a skillet can vary depending on a few factors like thickness, heat level, and the type of pan. To avoid guesswork, use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Thick Chicken Breasts: Thicker chicken breasts need more time to cook through than thinner ones. I recommend using medium-low heat and cooking them longer to ensure they cook evenly without burning. For a boneless chicken breast about one inch thick, cook it for roughly 8 minutes per side on medium-low heat.

Thin Chicken Breasts: Thin-cut breasts, or those you fillet or pound to about ½-inch thick, cook much faster. Use medium heat to get a nice browning on the outside while keeping the cooking time short. For these thinner breasts, cook for about 4-5 minutes per side.

Overview: How To Make Keto Chicken Skillet?

Say hello to your new favorite one-skillet chicken dinner, topped with a luscious lemon garlic butter cream sauce! This recipe uses thin chicken breasts, but it’s equally delicious with boneless chicken thighs. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for any night of the week.

To start, pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness and season with salt and pepper. Prepare the sauce by mixing chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet, then brown the chicken on both sides for a few minutes. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the oven.

Next, reduce the heat and sauté the shallots in the same skillet. Pour in the prepared chicken broth mixture, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce until it’s thickened, then whisk in butter and heavy cream off the heat. Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the rich, creamy sauce.

Finally, transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil, and serve the dish warm with broccolini, rice, pasta, or sautéed vegetables. This one-skillet meal is not only easy to prepare but also packed with vibrant flavors that will make it a family favorite.

Tips You Should Try!

1. Even Out the Thickness: Use a meat mallet to pound the thicker parts of the chicken breasts, ensuring an even thickness throughout. This helps the chicken cook uniformly, preventing some parts from drying out while others are still undercooked.
2. Pat the Chicken Dry: Before seasoning, make sure to dab the chicken dry with paper towels. A dry exterior promotes better browning and a more appealing crust.
3. Oil Wisely: Cook the chicken in a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Too much oil will cause unnecessary splattering. For an extra safeguard against splatters, use a splatter screen.
4. Resist the Urge to Move: Allow the chicken to sit undisturbed in the pan to achieve a beautiful, golden brown sear. Only flip the chicken once to maintain that perfect crust.
5. Monitor the Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is perfectly cooked at 160–165°F. Going beyond this range can result in dry, overcooked meat.
6. Make a Pan Sauce: Don’t waste those flavorful browned bits left in the pan. Deglaze the pan with some broth, wine, or even a splash of water to create a delicious sauce that adds depth and richness to your meal.

What to Serve with Keto Chicken Skillet?

• Roasted Vegetables Medley
• Beef and Broccoli
• Baked Potato
• Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread 
• Cornbread Casserole

Guide to Store Leftovers!

• Place leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I Use Other Herbs?

And like I mentioned in the recipe, feel free to swap out the herbs I listed for others you like or what you have on hand like oregano, tarragon, marjoram, parsley, and basil.

Just note that you’ll want to be more heavy-handed with some herbs (like the parsley) that may have a lighter flavor.