One of my favorite things to cook are just plain chicken breast in the microwave. They are so versatile. You can make them ahead of time and freeze for later or keep in the fridge for a few days. This post contains affiliate links.

Title image for chicken breast in the microwave with close up of shredded chicken breast on a gray plate with a coral napkin

You can do so many things with a chicken breast. You can shred it for all kinds of things from burritos to tacos to chicken salad. You can chop it up to add to a quick stir fry or in a salad. So many things!

Table of Contents

What do you need to make chicken breast in the microwave?

You’ll mainly need chicken breasts, salt and water. And, you definitely need a meat thermometer.

You can season your chicken breasts with whatever you like, but I just use salt for myself. When I make them for my family, I will use different things like italian seasoning, seasoning salt, taco seasoning, garlic and onion powders. Just sprinkle on whatever you’d like, both sides.

I also recommend a microwave-safe baking dish with a glass lid. Some people prefer to just cover a microwave-safe baking dish with plastic wrap or wax paper over the top. But, I don’t like to use plastic wrap in the microwave as there have been studies that show it actually melts and drips into the food. So, I stick with a CorningWare Casserole Dish that has a glass lid. It’s really versatile and you can cook so many things in it in the microwave.

How do you cook chicken breast in the microwave?

If you want to cook them fast, I recommend buying the thin cut chicken breast.

If you buy the normal chicken breasts, they tend to be very thick, and will take extra time to cook. You can pound them flatter between two pieces of wax paper or plastic wrap using a meat tenderizer

Season the chicken breasts, both sides, however you’d like. I just use a pinch of salt on each side.

Add water to the baking dish until the entire bottom is covered. You don’t want too much water.

Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and cover with the glass lid (or plastic wrap or wax paper).

Cook on HIGH in the microwave for about 4-5 minutes PER chicken breast. I find if I have two chicken breasts, it takes about 8-10 minutes for thin cut and about 10-12 minutes for the regular cut.

I have a 1500 watt microwave. If you have a lower wattage microwave, you will probably need additional time. Just go slow and check every 3-5 minutes.

Safe temperature for chicken is over 165 F degrees.

I usually start with 5 minutes and insert the meat thermometer in the center of each chicken breast and check the temperature. Usually, I need an additional 5 minutes cooking time.

Once the chicken is done, remove from the baking dish and prepare your chicken as desired. You can chop it, shred it, cut into chunks, or even eat it as is.

Can you freeze the cooked chicken breasts?

Yes you can! I do this all the time.

If you’re preparing the chicken breast ahead of time, I like to wrap each chicken breast individually in unbleached parchment paper and store in freezer bags in the freezer. Then, I just pull out one chicken breast at a time and defrost in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until it’s hot.

Can you store the cooked chicken breasts in the fridge?

Yes you can, but it doesn’t last as long as freezing. I only store it in the fridge for 4-5 days maximum. I prepare it the same way with wrapping each chicken breast individually in unbleached parchment paper and store it in freezer or storage ziplock bags. Then, I reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, until warm.

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Recipes to Serve with Chicken Breast

2-3 chicken breasts

Chicken Breast in the Microwave

Name: Chicken Breast in the Microwave
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 11 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2-3 chicken breasts; water to fill bottom of dish; salt; Optional: additional spices

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes

Ingredients

2-3 chicken breasts
water to fill bottom of dish
salt
Optional: additional spices

Instructions

Season the chicken breasts, both sides, however you'd like. I just use a pinch of salt on each side.

Add water to the baking dish until the entire bottom is covered. You don't want too much water.

Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and cover with the glass lid (or plastic wrap or wax paper).

Cook on HIGH in the microwave for about 4-5 minutes PER chicken breast.

At 5 minutes insert the meat thermometer in the center of each chicken breast and check the temperature. Safe temperature for chicken is over 165 F degrees.

Once the chicken is done, remove from the baking dish and prepare your chicken as desired. You can chop it, shred it, cut into chunks, or even eat it as is.

Notes

See blog post for additional notes

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 305Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 430mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 56g

Any nutritional information on justmicrowaveit.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate.

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How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Microwave