Turkish Chicken Breasts (Pan-Fried)

Soft and Juicy Pan-Fried Chicken Breasts – No Marinating Needed!

This is one of our go-to dishes when we're short on time and need to whip up something easy and delicious. 

We love that it doesn’t require any marinating, so there’s no waiting around. You can start cooking right away! 

Even without a marinade, our super simple method keeps the chicken breasts tender and juicy, making it perfect for weeknights when you want a flavorful meal fast.

Rub Chicken Breasts With Turkish Spices!

The flavor in this dish comes from the Turkish spices we use. 

We make sure to rub every part of the chicken breasts with our homemade Turkish spice blend, which is super easy to put together with just a few common spices. This blend gives the chicken its bold, vibrant taste that makes it so delicious. 

Even if you don’t have the blend ready, you can easily make it at home. Mix up some paprika, pul biber (or red pepper flakes), oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper, and you’re good to go!

While you can find Turkish spice blends in stores, we’ve noticed that each brand has its own mix, and surprisingly, many of them include spices that aren’t typically used in traditional Turkish cooking.

That’s why we recommend making your own blend at home. You can use our easy Turkish Spice Blend Recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, we keep things simple with just a few key ingredients.

We use skinless and boneless chicken breasts, each weighing around 225g (8oz). 

The seasoning comes from our Turkish spice mix, which is a blend of paprika, pul biber, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. 

And finally, we cook the chicken in olive oil.

How To Make Pan-Fried Turkish Chicken Breasts

It’s so easy to make soft, tender chicken breasts in a pan with our simple trick! There’s no need for marinating, which means no waiting—just season and cook. 

This is the same method we use in our Cast Iron Chicken Breast Recipe.

Start by drying the chicken breasts with a paper towel and cutting a few slits on both sides. Rub them with a Turkish spice blend to coat evenly.

Cook the Turkish spiced chicken breasts with a little olive oil in a non-stick pan for 4-5 minutes on each side over medium-high heat. Then, reduce the heat and cook for another 5 minutes, flipping occasionally. Let them rest under foil, and you’re done!

You’ll find the full recipe in the recipe card below.

Alternative Ingredients to Add 

If you want to add more flavor, there are plenty of options! 

You can throw a few garlic cloves (with their skin on) into the pan while cooking the chicken.

For a more herby flavor, add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary sprigs right into the pan.

You can also drizzle some fresh lemon juice over the chicken after it’s cooked for a zesty finish. 

How Do I Know If the Chicken Breasts Are Cooked?

We almost always cook chicken breasts this way, and it takes about 13-15 minutes. But if you want to double-check, here’s what to look for: When you cut into the thickest part, the meat should be white all the way through, with no pink inside. Also, if you have a meat thermometer, it should read 75°C (165°F).

Our Tips

• Don’t skip the slits. This method ensures even cooking.
• Use the right pan. A non-stick or cast iron pan works best.
• Don’t overcook! Chicken breasts can dry out quickly if overcooked. Keep an eye on them and check for doneness by cutting into the thickest part or using a meat thermometer.

What To Serve With Turkish Spiced Chicken Breasts

We love serving these pan-fried Turkish chicken breasts with some of our favorite sides. Tomato Bulgur Pilaf or Turkish Rice Pilaf with Orzo are perfect choices to pair with the chicken. 

We also always make a large bowl of salad, like a refreshing coban salata, shepherd salad or a green salad called mevsim salata (Turkish seasonal salad). 

A quick red onion salad with sumac is an amazing condiment to serve with these chicken breasts too. 

If we’re having the chicken for a light lunch, we often use it to make a delicious Turkish Chicken Salad.

Can I Cook These Chicken Breasts in the Oven?

Yes, you can cook these chicken breasts in the oven! 

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

After seasoning the chicken with the Turkish spice blend, drizzle olive oil over the breasts and make sure to coat them well on all sides. 

Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or in a baking dish. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until fully cooked.

Can I Cook Skinless Chicken Thighs the Same Way?

Yes, you can! Skinless chicken thighs work great with this recipe, and you don’t need to cut slits into them. 

Just season the thighs with the Turkish spice blend and cook them with olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).

Can I Make It Ahead of Time?

It definitely tastes best when cooked and served right away, but if you need to make it ahead of time, here are a few things to keep in mind. 

After cooking, let the chicken cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge (for up to 3 days). 

When reheating, cover the chicken with foil to help prevent it from drying out. You can warm it up in a pan over medium heat or in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, just until it’s heated through and still juicy!

More Turkish Chicken Recipes

• Tavuk sote
• Tavuk Shish (Turkish Chicken Kebabs)
• Chicken Doner
• Rice Stuffed Whole Chicken
• Turkish Chicken Salad

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