The Absolute Best Way to Cook Chicken Breasts, According to 4 Chefs

Place your chicken breasts on a wire rack over a sheet tray and sprinkle generously with salt and sugar. Leave them uncovered in the fridge overnight.

The next day, brush off any excess dry brine and pat them off with paper towels. (This will help them brown nicely.) Season with whatever spices you want and sear them in a super hot pan with a bit of oil.

Once browned, flip them and transfer into a hot oven (about 350°F) to finish cooking. "If you were to cook them completely in the pan," Jesse tells me, "the outside might get overcooked before the inside cooks through. You want them to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, keeping in mind that they will continue cooking once you take them out of the oven. I usually take mine out around 160°F and let them finish cooking on the counter."