Best Baked Chicken Recipe

This is the most popular of all chicken breast recipes that I’ve ever published. It’s a JUICY Oven Baked Chicken Breast sprinkled with a magic simple seasoning, baked until caramelised. It’s simple, fast and incredibly tasty! This is a reader-favourite alongside Honey Garlic Chicken, this epic Parmesan Crusted Chicken and crispy Garlic Chicken.

best baked chicken recipe

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

best baked chicken recipe

Recipe VIDEO above. My tips for a truly juicy, Oven Baked Chicken Breast: a touch of brown sugar in the seasoning which makes the chicken sweat while it bakes so it creates a semi “sauce”, and cooking fast on a high temp! Go by the colour of the crust to know when it’s cooked through.

Prep: 5min

Total: 23min

Serving Size: 158 g

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 158 g, calories 286 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 46 g, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 127 mg, Sodium 403 mg, Sugar 4 g, unSaturated Fat 2 g

Ingredients:

  • 4 chicken breasts (, 150 – 180g / 5 – 6 oz each (Note 1))
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme (, or other herb of choice)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
  • Finely chopped parsley

Instruction:

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C (200°C fan).
  2. Pound chicken to 1.5cm / 0.6″ at the thickest part – using a rolling pin, meat mallet or even your fist (key tip for even cooking + tender chicken).
  3. Mix Seasoning.
  4. Line tray with foil and baking / parchment paper. Place chicken upside down on tray. Drizzle chicken with about 1 tsp oil. Rub over with fingers. Sprinkle with Seasoning.
  5. Flip chicken. Drizzle with 1 tsp oil, rub with fingers, sprinkle with Seasoning, covering as much of the surface area as you can.
  6. Bake 18 minutes, or until surface is golden per photos and video, or internal temperature is 165°F/75°C using a meat thermometer.
  7. Remove from oven and immediately transfer chicken to serving plates.
  8. Wait 3 – 5 minutes before serving, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Pictured with a side of Garlic Butter Rice with Kale.

Baked Chicken Breasts

best baked chicken recipe

Learn how to make juicy, tender, delicious baked chicken breasts with this simple 5-step method.

Prep: 20min

Total: 35min

Yield: 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instruction:

  1. (Check the label of your chicken breasts. If they have already been pre-brined in a sodium solution, please skip this step.) Fill a large bowl with 1 quart of warm water and 1/4 cup kosher salt. Stir to combine until most of the salt is absorbed. Add the chicken breasts and let them sit in the mixture to brine for 15 minutes, or you can also also cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, rinse them with cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels.
  2. Preheat oven to 450°F.
  3. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in a large baking dish*. Brush on both sides (turning once) evenly with the melted butter or olive oil. In a separate small bowl, whisk the salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika until combined. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken on both sides.
  4. Bake for 15-18* minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts, so I recommend using a cooking thermometer to know exactly when the chicken is fully cooked. The thickest part of the breast should measure 165°F. (If you want the chicken to be a little bit browned and crispier on top, you can turn the broiler on high for the final 3-5 minutes of the cooking time and broil the chicken until it is cooked through and golden on top. Keep a close eye on the chicken, however, so that it does not overcook and/or burn.)
  5. Once the chicken is cooked, remove the pan from the oven, transfer the chicken to a clean plate, and loosely tent the plate with aluminum foil. Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes.
  6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast

best baked chicken recipe

Baked Chicken Breast is great as a main dish, salad topper, or even a sandwich protein. Learn how to bake Chicken Breast in the Oven.

Prep: 5min

Total: 25min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 217 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 32 g, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Trans Fat 0.02 g, Cholesterol 97 mg, Sodium 176 mg, Fiber 0.4 g, Sugar 0.04 g, unSaturated Fat 6 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb chicken breast ((about 4-6 pieces))
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic parsley salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper (or added to taste)
  • 2 tbsp oil (olive or avocado)

Instruction:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the chicken breast on a lined baking sheet.
  2. Season the chicken breasts on all sides with oil, paprika, garlic parsley salt, and pepper.
  3. Bake for about 20 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F on a thermometer.

THE BEST BAKED CHICKEN YOU’LL EVER MAKE ! | JUICY & CRISPY | EASY RECIPE TUTORIAL

FAQ

How do I bake chicken without it drying out?

Our Test Kitchen has found that baking chicken at a higher temperature, 425°F, locks in the chicken’s moisture and gives you a really juicy chicken breast.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?

Chicken breasts cook faster at 400 F than 350 F, which is a benefit. However, baking chicken at a higher temperature will increase the risk of drying the chicken breast out. If you have less experience as a cook, baking chicken breast at 350 F will be easier to monitor and ensure you get perfectly cooked chicken.

Is it better to bake chicken covered or uncovered?

You never have to worry about covering chicken while baking, as it’s fine to bake it uncovered. Once your chicken is in the oven, it’s hands-free until you need to check the temperature. Then, you can whip up a no-cook appetizer, side dish, or dessert if you’re feeling ambitious. Was this page helpful?

What is the secret to juicy chicken?

Brining is especially great for frying chicken. It gives you crispier skin while keeping the meat juicy on the inside. Make your brine by dissolving salt and sugar in water before adding the chicken. Make sure to use lukewarm water.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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