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Cuban-Style Sautéed Chicken

August 14, 2012 by Jaime @ Mom's Test Kitchen 11 Comments

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Tired of dry, tough chicken? This Cuban-Style Sauteed Chicken is delicious and juicy, marinated in citrus and spices, then pan-seared to perfection! It’s a flavorful and easy recipe that is sure to please!

Tired of dry, tough chicken? This Cuban-Style Sautéed Chicken is delicious and juicy, marinated in citrus and spices, then pan-seared to perfection! It’s a flavorful and easy recipe that is sure to please!

Cuban-Style Sautéed Chicken held by tongs being set down on a plate on top of rice

This delicious Cuban-Style Chicken has slowly become one of the most popular recipes on this site. It’s beyond easy to make, and absolutely delicious! The spices aren’t over-powering – even your kiddos will love the flavor.

Three chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet

A Few Tips To Making Juicy, Sautéed Chicken

I’ve made quite a few chicken recipes since I started this blog and I will openly admit that I have over-cooked some chicken! Thankfully, I’ve never undercooked any! It always feels like such a task to make juicy, delicious chicken that doesn’t end up overcooked, dry and rubbery. So here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:

  • Definitely use a meat thermometer to make sure you are getting the chicken to the perfect temperature and not just guessing. Make sure when using a thermometer, you place it in the thickest part of the meat. For chicken, the temperature should be 165 degrees. I recommend cooking the chicken to a temp of 160 and then remove from the heat, cover loosely with foil and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute and the chicken will continue to still cook a little even removed from the heat.
    • If you don’t have a thermometer, then another way to check doneness, especially with chicken, is to cut into it and confirm that the juices run clear. If the juices are red or have a pink tint, it will need to cook a bit longer. The only downside to this is you can’t be sure you aren’t over cooking the chicken and letting the juice escape will arguably affect the juiciness of the chicken.
  • If possible, use a cast iron or heavy-duty stainless-steel pan. A non-stick pan is great and will definitely cook the chicken, but it’s not the best choice for cooking juicy, tender chicken breast. We want the chicken to get a nice sear and you won’t get that with a non-stick surface.
  • Look for smaller chicken breast options. As you can see from the recipe, I used thinly sliced chicken. The smaller chicken options seem to have better flavor and stay more tender. If you’re using the thinner portions, it also would eliminate the need to pound the chicken to an even thickness for cooking.

Cuban-Style Chicken on a bed of rice on a plate with a cast iron skillet in the background

Make It A Full Meal

For a quick meal for the family, this would taste great with Cilantro Rice Salad and Roasted Broccoli or Cauliflower.

More Recipes For Chicken

  • Candied Garlic Chicken
  • Cilantro Cream Chicken
  • Ginger Chicken with Apricot Dijon Sauce
  • HaHa’s Chicken
  • Rosemary Lemon Chicken
Three Chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet

Cuban-Style Sautéed Chicken

Cuban-Style Sautéed Chicken is delicious and juicy when it’s marinated in citrus and spices, then pan-seared to perfection! It’s a flavorful and easy recipe that is sure to please!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Marinade Time 1 d
Total Time 1 d 15 mins
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 pound thinly sliced chicken breasts about 3 breasts
  • 1/3 cup lime juice juice of about 3 medium limes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon onion flakes
  • 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Place chicken breasts in a gallon sized Ziploc bag or a Tupperware bowl with lid.  In a medium bowl, combine all other ingredients for the marinade.  Pour the marinade over the chicken and place in the refrigerator for the day up to overnight.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Sauté the chicken until it is cooked through and no longer pink with a nice brownness on the outside, about 5 minutes per side.

Notes

recipe inspired by: Kaylyn's Kitchen
 
Keyword Chicken, easy recipes, low-carb
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recommended Equipment:

  • Meat Thermometer
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Tongs

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Jaime Oliver Signature

 

 

 

 

 

Recipe originally posted 08/2012 – Updated 10/2020

Cuban Chicken on top of a serving of cilantro rice salad - old photo

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Filed Under: Main Dishes, Most Popular, Recipes

Previous Post: « Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Summer Squash
Next Post: Cilantro Rice Salad »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Matt

    August 19, 2018 at 1:27 pm

    We made this and it was delicious! I even had my kids wanting this again… that’s what I’m going to do.

    Reply
  2. Linda

    April 21, 2016 at 5:45 am

    HI,

    After the reading your post i tried Cuban Chicken in my home last weekend, and it was really amazing.

    Regards
    Linda

    Reply
  3. Karen

    August 15, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    well that looks mighty tasty!

    Reply
  4. Maribel Reyes

    August 15, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    This is the perfect recipe and yes being I’m half Cuban I am a bit biased 😉

    Reply
    • Jaime Lyn

      August 16, 2012 at 8:18 pm

      Well being that you are half Cuban, I take your comment as a huge compliment!!!! Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

    August 15, 2012 at 11:51 am

    Wow, what a change! Your blog looks great! I love Latin-flavored food – I’m sure this would be a big hit with the family!

    Reply
  6. Julie

    August 15, 2012 at 2:58 am

    This chicken looks great! Also, I love your new blog design! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Veralynn

    August 14, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad to have found you via the GFC blog hop and I’m your newest follower. Feel free to stop by my blog anytime- I’m currently hosting my August giveaway which I would love for you to enter for a chance to win products from Sibu Beauty! Happy Tuesday!

    Veralynn
    joiedeveralynn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Alexis [Living the WifeStyle]

    August 14, 2012 at 7:44 pm

    Hey girl! I’m stopping by from the blog hop. I’m one of the co-hosts! Thanks for linking up!

    Looking forward to getting to know you better! 🙂

    -Alexis
    http://www.livingthewifestyle.com

    Reply
    • Jaime Lyn

      August 16, 2012 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by Alexis!

      Reply
  9. Pamela

    August 14, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Love it! Looks so good! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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