Cooking Boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the microwave can be fun, moist, and tasty. We have you covered if you are wondering how to microwave chicken breast. If not done right, it can be overcooked until they become dry and chewy; I generally like mine more succulent. They can work well for lunch and dinner favorites like Chicken Pasta and Chicken Caesar. This method is not like searing, sautéing, broiling, frying, or baking; it heats the breasts quickly from the outside, which is different from stovetop poaching from the inside out in their juices in a covered pan. We will use a glass container because it is safer, and we can peek inside and watch it brown. But I promise that if you follow this method exactly, you won’t be disappointed.

Washing the chicken breast:

Washing the breast removes some of the germs. The only way to ensure the bacteria are dead is to thoroughly cook them with high heat. Use 3 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar and water to wash the chicken. Let sit for 2 minutes; wash the chicken with only water, then dry the chicken.

Flatten the chicken breasts:

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness with the bottom of a wide jar or glass. You can also (carefully!) use the handle of a heavy chef’s knife.

Seasoning the Chicken

Lightly salt and pepper the chicken breasts. This method alone makes plain, simple microwave chicken breasts — You can add herbs, marinate or jerk sauce to this, which can be used on top of salads, rice dishes, and tacos. But you can season the breasts any way you like; make them spicy, or flavor them with fresh herbs. You don’t need to brine or marinate the chicken, but doing this does make them even juicier!

How to microwave chicken breast and get moist & tender chicken every time

What You Need

Ingredients

1 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil, unsalted butter, or a combination of both

Equipment

Heavy Mason jar or wide drinking glass Wide (11-inch) Glass pan with glass lid Tongs or spatula

Instructions: How to microwave chicken breast

1. Flatten the chicken breasts: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness with the bottom of a wide jar or glass. You can also (carefully!) use the handle of a heavy chef’s knife.
2. Season the chicken breasts: Lightly salt and pepper the breasts and the roll in lite olive oil.
3. Prepare the glass pan and microwaveable cover: Swirl the glass pan, so it is lightly covered with olive oil.
4. Cook the chicken breasts in the microwave for 5 minutes without moving: you are searing or browning them at this point.
5. Flip the chicken breasts: Flip each chicken breast over and cook for 5 more minutes.
6. Turn the chicken breast over one more time and cook for 15 minutes: The chicken should turn golden brown.
7. Remove lid and take temperature: After the 15 minutes are up, take the lid off, and your chicken is done. Make sure there is no pink in the middle of the breasts. If you want to be sure it is cooked, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check (the chicken should be at least 165°F). Slice and eat.