Imagine tender, succulent chicken breasts that are bursting with flavor, cooked to perfection in just minutes - without ever touching a stovetop or oven! This revolutionary microwave technique will transform your meal prep, delivering restaurant-quality chicken that's incredibly moist and packed with delicious seasonings. Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking for quick meals, or someone who wants foolproof chicken every single time, this recipe is about to become your new culinary secret weapon.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 mins
Total Time: 18 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Lemon juice
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper, then gently pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin to ensure uniform cooking.
- Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring complete surface coverage for moisture retention and enhanced flavor.
- Create a seasoning blend by mixing salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Generously sprinkle this mixture evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a microwave-safe dish, ensuring they do not overlap. Select a dish with slightly raised edges to capture any cooking juices.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken breasts, which will help tenderize the meat and add brightness to the flavor profile.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small corner slightly open to allow steam to escape.
- Microwave on high power for approximately 6-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and your microwave's wattage.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the chicken breast for food safety.
- Let the chicken rest covered for 2-3 minutes after microwaving to allow residual heat to distribute and juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum moisture.
- Uncover and serve immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or additional lemon wedges for extra flavor.
Tips
- Always pound chicken to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and perfectly cooked chicken every time.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, keeping the meat incredibly tender.
- Experiment with different seasoning blends to keep the recipe exciting and match your taste preferences.
- Choose a microwave-safe dish with slightly raised edges to capture cooking juices and prevent mess.
- Don't overcook - microwave cooking times can vary, so start checking a minute earlier than recommended.
- Fresh lemon juice not only adds flavor but helps tenderize the meat naturally.
- If your chicken seems dry, try reducing cooking time by 30-60 seconds and covering more completely.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 165kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 80mg
