This cast iron chicken breast recipe gives you juicy, golden-seared chicken every time, finished in the oven or on the stovetop. Topped with garlic herb butter, it’s simple, flavorful, and feels like restaurant-quality at home!
This is the recipe I reach for often during the week as it’s simple to make and delivers big on flavor. The juicy chicken breasts are flavorful and can be easily served on their own. But it’s the honey garlic herb butter that takes these over the top and makes this simple dinner taste extra special.
If you’re looking for a chicken breast recipe that’s anything but boring, this cast-iron method is a game-changer. I start by seasoning the breasts just right, then searing them in a hot cast-iron skillet until they’re perfectly golden. From there, you can finish them in the oven for even cooking, keeping them incredibly juicy and tender—no dry chicken here! Or, if you prefer, you can finish them on the stovetop, which works just as well, so you have options depending on your mood that night.
The real showstopper? The garlic herb butter that melts over the top just before serving. It seeps into every crevice, adding rich, savory flavor that takes these chicken breasts from simple weeknight dinner to something special. I’ve made this countless times, and it never fails to impress—perfect for family meals, dinner parties, or just treating yourself to a restaurant-quality dish at home. Once you try it, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for boring chicken!
Store and reheat
Store: If you have leftovers, let them cool to room temperature and then store them in a covered container in your fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: I will often slice this chicken and serve it cold over a salad for lunch the next day. If you want to reheat it, you can use a microwave or slice it thin and reheat it in a pan.
Cast Iron Chicken Breast with Honey Garlic Herb Butter
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Ingredients
- ▢ 4 medium chicken breasts (about 6-ounces each)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ▢ 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon pepper
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 1 tablespoon butter
Garlic Herb Butter
- ▢ 4 tablespoons salted butter (at room temperature)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon honey
- ▢ 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic (grated on a microplane or very finely minced)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Start by making the herb butter by mixing the ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside on your counter. 4 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, 2 cloves garlic
- In a small bowl, mix the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
- Dry the chicken with paper towels, then season it with the spice mix. I find that using my hands to rub in the spices works the best. 4 medium chicken breasts
- Heat the olive oil and butter in your cast iron skillet over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the chicken breasts, top side down, and cook for about 5 minutes – until they develop a golden brown crust on one side. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter
- Flip the chicken over and put the cast iron pan into the oven and continue to cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit – about 10-15 minutes.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes out of the oven and then serve with a heaping tablespoon of the herb butter on top.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Make it a meal
One of the things I love about cooking chicken breast in a cast iron pan is that it is such a versatile main. I’ll often serve with a simple spring mix salad and my extra crispy roast potatoes . I also love it with my arugula Caesar salad (made with crouton crispies) .
For a cozy dinner, like in the photos below, serve this chicken with a side of sour cream and chive mashed potatoes and some sautéed green beans . Yum!
More chicken breast recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of my dinner ideas !
Creamy Garlic Chicken Breast
Baked BBQ Chicken Breast (4 ingredient recipe!)
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Italian Dressing Chicken
Cast Iron Chicken Breast with Honey Garlic Herb Butter
Ingredients
- 4 medium chicken breasts , about 6-ounces each
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Garlic Herb Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter , at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- 2 cloves garlic , grated on a microplane or very finely minced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Start by making the herb butter by mixing the ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside on your counter. 4 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, 2 cloves garlic
- In a small bowl, mix the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
- Dry the chicken with paper towels, then season it with the spice mix. I find that using my hands to rub in the spices works the best. 4 medium chicken breasts
- Heat the olive oil and butter in your cast iron skillet over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the chicken breasts, top side down, and cook for about 5 minutes - until they develop a golden brown crust on one side. 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter
- Flip the chicken over and put the cast iron pan into the oven and continue to cook until the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit - about 10-15 minutes.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes out of the oven and then serve with a heaping tablespoon of the herb butter on top.
