How Long to Cook Diced Chicken on a Stovetop + Easy Recipes
Chicken is always an easy option for a nutritious punch and can be cooked in a number of different ways. Baked, grilled, sauteed, you name it! You can add it to sauces or sandwiches, pasta or stir fry and it does not disappoint. Here, we’re going to go over how long to cook diced chicken on the stove top. It will help you whip together a healthy chicken recipe in no time.
Let’s start with what type of chicken is best to use. I like to use skinless chicken breasts because how much bang for your buck you get. They are packed with nutrition and are always readily available at the grocery store.
Directions for Cooking Diced Chicken on the Stovetop
1.) Start by dicing your boneless chicken breast- You are going to want to cut similar sized chicken pieces so they cook evenly. Ideally, try and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Keep in mind, you can always substitute this for boneless chicken thighs.
2.) Drizzle olive oil (or avocado oil) on your nonstick skillet- Heat this oil over medium heat. The best way to set yourself up for success and prevent your pan from becoming too hot that it just sears the outside quickly and not allowing it to cook thoroughly.
3.) Add your chicken to the skillet- it can be tempting to add all the chicken at this time, but make sure they’re in a single layer. Cook that batch, place on the side and cook the next serving. Allow the juices to be reabsorbed into the chicken while it is set to the side.
Cooking time for diced chicken
You are going to want to grab your meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The goal is juicy chicken cubes, but you also need to cook thoroughly through the meat. According to USDA food safety, you want to cook your diced chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees f.
These cubed chicken pieces are a great and easy alternative to rotisserie chicken. No need to de construct a whole chicken rather you can just dice up your chicken breasts and into the pan they go. This cooking method is also really versatile and you can make a complete meal in one pan with very little effort.
Since you will be dealing with raw meat, you really want to make sure your chicken cooks to optimal internal temp. When you heat your pan too hot too quickly, you risk searing the outside. With that, it can sometimes take longer to cook through. You might end up with charred on the outside instead of tender chicken.
Along with that, since the pieces you cut will be on the smaller size (versus a large chicken breast), don’t cut and toss into the pan as you go. Be sure to cut it all up first and then place in the pan. It’s easy to accidentally overcook some pieces this way.
Along the lines of working with raw meat, USDA food safety has four basic principles.
1.) Wash hands and surfaces often
2.) Don’t cross contaminate
3.) Cook to proper temperatures
4.) Refrigerate promptly
Remember, cooking times may vary depending on the size of the diced chicken pieces and the heat of your stovetop, so it’s important to monitor the chicken’s doneness and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to season diced chicken?
If you are adding this to one pot rigatoni, then just add some Italian seasoning. It flies you to Italy the fastest.
Aside from that, the best thing about cooking is that you can add all different types of spices and can’t really go wrong. You can sprinkle some salt and black pepper, maybe add in some garlic powder and onion powder. A family favorite in our household is adding taco seasoning to the chicken for some easy tacos.
What to Serve with cooked diced chicken?
This is an easy healthy dish and can be added to any noodle or vegetable. You can serve this over a bed of (cauliflower) rice or zucchini noodles.
Take the cooked chicken and make some chicken tacos or chicken nachos.
How to store leftovers?
Diced cooked chicken cubes are an awesome way to meal prep. Meal prep decreases the amount of stress associated with dinner time and can help organize your week. That being said, store your diced chicken in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or into the freezer for 3-4 months.
Different Recipes Using Diced Chicken
1.) One pot rigatoni- This is a family favorite and we have made this in bulk and enjoyed leftovers. In fact, I like it better the next day!
2.) Cashew chicken (click here)- This is one really is better than take out and my toddlers even like it too.
3.) Butter chicken (click here)- Personal favorite right here.
I hope you realize you can cook diced chicken with ease and confidence. Time to meal prep something nutritious, enjoy!
