Pepper-crusted Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• to taste olive oil
• to taste salt
• ½ cup cracked black peppercorns
• ¼ cup squeezed lemon juice

Steps

1. Brush the chicken with olive oil.
2. Sprinkle both sides liberally with salt.
3. Place the pepper in a pie pan.
4. Dredge the chicken in black pepper.
5. Let rest for 2–3 minutes.
6. Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat.
7. Pour in about 2 tbsp olive oil.
8. Add the chicken.
9. Cook 2 minutes per side, or until browned on both sides.
10. Insert an oven-safe probe thermometer into one of the chicken breasts.
11. Bake, pan and all, at 375°F until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
12. Remove the chicken from the pan.
13. Keep warm.
14. Deglaze the pan with lemon juice.
15. Drizzle over the chicken.
16. Serve warm.