• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bites with Bri
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Income Reports
  • Work With Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Spring Dinner Recipes
  • Easy Air Fryer Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Mexican Inspired Recipes
  • About Bri
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Bites with Bri » Chicken » Dutch Oven Chicken Breast

    Dutch Oven Chicken Breast

    Published: Nov 9, 2022 · Modified: Mar 23, 2023 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit
    jump to recipe print recipe

    This juicy Dutch Oven Chicken Breast recipe is the perfect one pot dish that is ready in less than an hour. The skin is crispy and the meat is tender and moist. The white wine pan sauce takes these to the next level.

    Dutch oven chicken breast on a white dish.

    I prefer to roast bone-in chicken breasts in the oven and sear boneless breasts on the stove, like in this easy Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Recipe with compound butter. 

    If you are looking for a thigh recipe, try these Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Thighs.

    Have some leftover chicken you need to use up? Try my Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry.

    Level up your boneless chicken breasts by making this French Onion Chicken recipe or my everyday Lemon Chicken Marinade.

    Jump to:
    • What is a Dutch Oven?
    • What is the Secret to Moist Chicken Breast?
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • How to Make Dutch Oven Chicken Breast
    • Recipe Serving Suggestions
    • Expert Tips & Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Chicken Recipes
    • Dutch Oven Chicken Breast

    What is a Dutch Oven?

    A dutch oven is a heavy duty cooking pot with thick walls and a snug fitting lid. 

    They are usually made of cast iron, but can also be made of aluminum or ceramic. The cast iron can be seasoned or enameled, like this Lodge 3 QT. These pots hold heat extremely well.

    What is the Secret to Moist Chicken Breast?

    The BIGGEST secret to a moist & juicy chicken breast is to not overcook the chicken. As chicken cooks it releases more and more water. 
    The internal temperature should be 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer so you do not have to play a guessing game. See more tips & tricks below!

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • Tender & juicy - The combination of roasting the chicken on the bone, not overcooking it, and the compound butter will prevent it from drying out or getting tough. 
    • Flavorful compound butter - The butter is loaded with garlic, lemon zest, herbs, and pepper. Rubbing this under the skin traps all of these delicious flavors. 
    • White wine pan sauce - The chicken drippings mixed with the white wine & lemon juice are the perfect base for a pan sauce. 
    • Holiday entrée alternative - Turkey or beef are classics for Thanksgiving and Chrssitmas, but this is a great option, especially if you are cooking for a smaller crowd. 
    • Ready in less than an hour - The roasting time will vary depending on the size, but these should not take more than an hour to cook. Dinner will be served in no time! 
    • Versatile - Add potatoes, carrots, or any root vegetables to the bottom of the pan for a simple side.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Ingredients needed to make dutch oven chicken breast.
    • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
    • White Wine: I recommend a dry citrusy white, like Sauvignon Blanc. You can also replace this with chicken stock.  

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    How to Make Dutch Oven Chicken Breast

    Quick Overview

    • Make compound butter.
    • Rub all over the chicken. 
    • Add onion, lemon, and wine. 
    • Roast.
    • Make pan sauce & serve!

    Step by Step Instructions

    A 6 photo collage showing how to assemble the chicken breast.

    Be sure to rub the butter on top of and underneath the skin. Use all of the butter and salt.

    Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, combine the butter, garlic, thyme, sage, rosemary, pepper, and lemon zest.

    Step 2: Rub about ⅓ of this mixture all over the button (bone-side) of each chicken breast. Season with about ½ of the salt.

    Step 3: Flip and stuff a spoonful of butter under the skin of each.

    Step 4: Rub the remaining butter on the top of the skin and down the sides. Season with the rest of the salt.

    Step 5: Add the onions around the pan in between the chicken. Juice both lemon halves on top of the chicken and onions. Pour the wine down the side of the pan so that the salt does not wash off of the chicken skin.

    Step 6: Roast for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.

    A 6 photo collage showing how to cook dutch oven chicken breast.

    The chicken is done once the internal temperature is 165 degrees.

    Step 7: While the chicken roasts, microwave the butter for the pan sauce in 5 second increments until melted in a small bowl. Stir in the flour. Side aside.

    Step 8: Once the chicken is done, remove it and the onions from the pan. Set aside to rest.

    Step 9: Place the dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter mixture and whisk continuously.

    Step 10: As the sauce starts to thicken, add about ½ cup of stock or water to thin the sauce. Continue whisking.

    Step 11: Add more stock or water as needed to reach desired consistency. It should not be quite as thick as gravy. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

    Step 12: Serve the chicken with the pan sauce on top.

    Recipe Serving Suggestions

    These roasted chicken breasts pair well with a variety of side dishes. They are definitely begging to be served with a leftover glass of white wine from cooking. Aside from that here are my recommendations:

    • Add some potatoes and carrots (or any root vegetable) to the bottom of the pan. These will roast with chicken and have a delicious flavor. Just be sure to not overcrowd the pan. The veggies will release water and you do not want the chicken to boil or steam. You could also add mushrooms.
    • Potatoes: Oven Roasted Yukon Potatoes or Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes
    • Vegetables: Stovetop Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots or Balsamic Brussel Sprouts
    • Bread: Parmesan Rosemary Bread or Air Fryer Garlic Cheese Bread

    Expert Tips & Variations

    • Rub with a compound butter. This fat will not only add tons of flavor to the chicken but it will add lots of moisture. Since white meat is leaner, it needs some extra fat. 
    • Season with kosher salt. Salt is the most underrated seasoning. It will bring out all of the other flavors in the dish. Be generous. I used the whole tablespoon between the three pieces. 
    • Roast at 425 degrees. This temperature will allow the skin to crisp up, but not burn. If you roast it on a lower temperature the exterior will not have browned enough in the time it takes to cook the inside. 
    • Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to ensure the chicken will come out moist and tender. It should be an internal temperature of 165 degrees in the thickest part. 
    • Let the chicken rest. While the pan sauce comes together, this will give the chicken 5 or so minutes to rest before being sliced. This will lock in all of those juices. 
    • Make a pan sauce. All of the excess butter and white wine is in the bottom of the pan. I highly recommend thickening it and creating this super simple pan sauce to spoon on top. You can also just serve it with the drippings.
    Dutch oven chicken breast on a white plate with garnishing.

    Recipe FAQs

    What temperature do you cook chicken breast in a Dutch oven?

    425 degrees is the perfect roasting temperature. The skin will get crispy, but the inside will have time to cook without the skin burning.

    How do you keep chicken from sticking to the Dutch oven?

    Be sure there is a little bit of liquid or fat in the pan. This is why the recipe calls for white wine and lemon juice in the pot.

    How long should it take to bake a chicken breast?

    It really depends on the size. For a large bone-in chicken breast, it will take about 45 minutes to roast at 425 degrees. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.

    Shop my Amazon Storefront!

    More Chicken Recipes

    • 25 Simple Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes
    • French Onion Chicken Bake
    • Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Corn Soup

    If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE COMMENT
    5 from 88 votes

    Dutch Oven Chicken Breast

    This juicy Dutch Oven Chicken Breast recipe is the perfect one pot dish that is ready in less than an hour. The skin is crispy and the meat is tender and moist. The white wine pan sauce takes these to the next level.
    Servings6
    Prep10 minutes
    Cook40 minutes
    Total50 minutes
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Shallow Dutch Oven
    • Meat Thermometer
    • Whisk
    • Tongs

    Ingredients:

    • 5 Tablespoons salted butter, melted & cooled slightly
    • 6-8 cloves garlic
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped sage
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 lemon, zested & cut in half
    • 1 Tablespoon Morton’s kosher salt*
    • 3 large bone-in chicken breasts, about 2.5 pounds
    • 1 yellow onion, cut in eighths
    • ¾ cup dry white wine*

    Pan Sauce

    • 2 Tablespoons butter
    • 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
    • ½ - 1 cup chicken stock or water

    Instructions:

    • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, combine the butter, garlic, thyme, sage, rosemary, pepper, and lemon zest.
    • Rub about ⅓ of this mixture all over the button (bone-side) of each chicken breast. Season with about ½ of the salt.
    • Flip and stuff a spoonful of butter under the skin of each.
    • Rub the remaining butter on the top of the skin and down the sides. Season with the rest of the salt.
    • Add the onions around the pan in between the chicken. Juice both lemon halves on top of the chicken and onions. Pour the wine down the side of the pan so that the salt does not wash off of the chicken skin.
    • Roast for 40-50 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
    • While the chicken roasts, microwave the butter for the pan sauce in 5 second increments until melted in a small bowl. Stir in the flour. Side aside.
    • Once the chicken is done, remove it and the onions from the pan. Set aside to rest.
    • Place the dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter mixture and whisk continuously.
    • As the sauce starts to thicken, add about ½ cup of stock or water to thin the sauce. Continue whisking.
    • Add more stock or water as needed to reach desired consistency. It should not be quite as thick as gravy. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
    • Serve the chicken with the pan sauce on top.

    Notes:

    • Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
    • White Wine: I recommend a dry citrusy white, like Sauvignon Blanc. You can also replace this with chicken stock.
    • Rub with a compound butter. This fat will not only add tons of flavor to the chicken but it will add lots of moisture. Since white meat is leaner, it needs some extra fat. 
    • Season with kosher salt. Salt is the most underrated seasoning. It will bring out all of the other flavors in the dish. Be generous. I used the whole tablespoon between the three pieces. 
    • Roast at 425 degrees. This temperature will allow the skin to crisp up, but not burn. If you roast it on a lower temperature the exterior will not have browned enough in the time it takes to cook the inside. 
    • Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to ensure the chicken will come out moist and tender. It should be an internal temperature of 165 degrees in the thickest part. 
    • Let the chicken rest. While the pan sauce comes together, this will give the chicken 5 or so minutes to rest before being sliced. This will lock in all of those juices. 
    • Make a pan sauce. All of the excess butter and white wine is in the bottom of the pan. I highly recommend thickening it and creating this super simple pan sauce to spoon on top. You can also just serve it with the drippings.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 349kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1414mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
    « Air Fryer Scalloped Potatoes (Cheesy)
    Peanut Butter Banana Bars »
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Reddit

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jade

      January 02, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      This was fantastic. I did lighten up the butter, since it’s New Years and I’m trying to eat cleaner. Next time I’ll double the onion and liquid. Thanks for sharing. I served with roasted broccoli.

      Reply
      • Brianna May

        January 04, 2023 at 7:33 am

        Awesome! Thanks Jade.

        Reply
        • Marissa

          February 17, 2023 at 6:27 pm

          Hi, do you roast the chicken with the Dutch oven’s lid on or off?

        • Brianna May

          March 08, 2023 at 9:32 am

          Off!

      • Ciara

        March 09, 2023 at 3:04 pm

        Hi! I was wondering what you do with the onions after roasting? Do you add them to the sauce or eat them separately?

        Reply
        • Brianna May

          March 13, 2023 at 6:28 am

          You can do either! I usually serve them over the chicken.

    2. Bonnie White

      November 10, 2022 at 10:50 am

      Do I put the lid on the Dutch over? Will make this tomorrow. Sounds great.

      Reply
      • Brianna May

        November 14, 2022 at 7:19 am

        No lid!

        Reply
    3. Karen

      November 10, 2022 at 6:33 am

      5 stars
      So good!!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Bri!

    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

    Join my email list!>>

    Spring Dinner Recipes

    • Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl Recipe
    • Cast Iron Skillet Lamb Chops
    • Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe
    • Coconut Lime Salmon
    • Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
    • Chicken Penne Alla Vodka

    Top Recipes

    • Lobster Ravioli Sauce
    • Baked Walking Taco Casserole Recipe with Enchilada Sauce
    • Green Chili Beef Enchiladas with White Sauce
    • Dutch Oven Pork Chops
    • Easy Rustic Bread Recipe (Only 4 Ingredients & No-Knead!)
    • Jalapeño Lime Crema

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign up for my weekly newsletter!

    Contact

    • Monthly Recaps
    • Work with Me
    • Client Inquiry Form

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Bites with Bri LLC