Are you tired of dry, bland chicken that leaves you disappointed at the dinner table? Prepare to revolutionize your cooking game with this foolproof sous vide chicken breast recipe that guarantees restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen! Using precise temperature control and a simple technique, you'll create incredibly tender, flavorful chicken that will make your taste buds dance and your dinner guests impressed.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Fill a large pot or sous vide container with water and attach your sous vide precision cooker. Set temperature to 145°F (63°C) for juicy, tender chicken breasts.
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry using paper towels. This ensures better seasoning adherence and searing later.
- Season chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides. Rub seasoning gently into the meat.
- Place chicken breasts into a single layer inside a large vacuum-seal or ziplock bag. Add fresh thyme sprigs and drizzle olive oil over the chicken.
- Carefully lower the sealed bag into the preheated water bath, ensuring chicken is fully submerged. Use bag clips or weights if needed to prevent floating.
- Cook chicken for 1 hour, maintaining consistent water temperature. The precise cooking ensures even doneness throughout the meat.
- Once cooking time completes, remove bag from water bath. Carefully take chicken breasts out and pat dry with fresh paper towels.
- Optional: Quickly sear chicken in a hot cast-iron skillet with a touch of oil for 30-45 seconds per side to develop a golden-brown exterior.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing. Serve immediately with your preferred side dishes.
Tips
- Always pat your chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum flavor absorption and better searing potential.
- Use a high-quality, accurate sous vide precision cooker to maintain consistent water temperature for even cooking.
- Don't skip the optional searing step - it adds a delicious golden-brown crust and enhances the overall flavor profile of the chicken.
- Invest in good quality vacuum-seal or heavy-duty ziplock bags to prevent water from entering during the cooking process.
- Let the chicken rest after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and moisture.
- Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary, oregano, or basil to customize your chicken's flavor profile.
- If you don't have fresh thyme, dried herbs can work as a substitute, but use about 1/3 of the amount.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 85mg
