Baking chicken breast at home has always been a bit of a trial for me. Either it turned out too dry, or the flavors felt like they were missing something. Until recently! My Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe completely turned things around for me. It produces beautifully juicy and tender chicken with a hint of comforting spices in every bite.
I love how easy it is to prepare and how versatile the finished dish is. It always works perfectly, whether I want to add it to a salad, serve it with roasted veggies, or shred it for tacos. If you’re looking for a foolproof method to make delicious baked chicken breast, you’ve got to give this recipe a try. It’s easy enough for beginners but delivers results that will impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
Here’s why this oven-baked chicken recipe will have you coming back for more!
Always Juicy and Tender
Every time I make this, the chicken comes out perfectly cooked and far from dry. The brining step ensures the chicken stays juicy, and resting it locks in all those amazing juices.
Quick and Foolproof
The process is straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy techniques. With just 15-20 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time!
Customizable Flavors
This recipe uses a basic seasoning mix with paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Don’t be afraid to switch it up with your own favorite spice blends. Want Italian or Cajun? Go for it!
Ideal for Meal Prep
Once you have a batch ready, the options for using this in other meals are endless. Dice it up for salads, shred it for tacos, or pair it with your favorite side dish.
Healthy and Delicious
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients and doesn’t require large amounts of oil or butter. Plus, it’s low-carb and packed with protein, making it ideal for a balanced meal plan.
Cooking Time
Here’s all you need to plan your cooking schedule:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
Only a few simple ingredients are needed to make this recipe!
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds total)
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 4 cups water + 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for brining)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for seasoning)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Variations
You can adapt this recipe to fit different dietary needs or flavor preferences.
- Low-Sodium: Skip the brine or use reduced amounts of salt in both the brine and seasoning mix.
- Herbaceous Additions: Add dried herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano to the spice rub for more complexity.
- Spicy Kick: Mix cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes into the seasoning rub for heat.
Equipment You’ll Need
Having the right tools on hand makes preparation simple.
- Mixing Bowl: For brining and seasoning the chicken.
- Baking Dish: To cook the chicken evenly in the oven.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: To ensure the chicken reaches the perfect internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush: For applying oil or melted butter evenly.
- Foil: To tent the chicken while it rests.
How to Make My Oven-Baked Chicken Breast?
This recipe is all about keeping things simple!
Step 1: Brine the Chicken
Start with the brining process—which is the secret to juicy baked chicken. Submerge the chicken breasts in a water-and-salt mixture and leave them for 15 minutes. If you plan, you can brine them for up to 6 hours in the fridge. This step helps the chicken retain its moisture during baking. 🧂
Step 2: Brush with Butter or Oil
Once brined, remove the chicken and pat it dry. Then, generously brush each piece with melted butter or olive oil. This creates those beautiful golden edges and ensures the spice rub sticks evenly. 🍗
Step 3: Season the Chicken
Sprinkle your seasoning mix generously over the chicken breasts and rub it in using your fingers. Make sure every inch is covered because this is where the flavor magic happens! Get creative if you’d like, using premade spice blends like taco seasoning or za’atar.
Step 4: Bake
Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer inside a large baking dish. Bake for 15-18 minutes depending on their thickness. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature hits 165°F. If you prefer crispier edges, switch your oven to broil mode for the last 3 minutes. 🔥
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Once the chicken is out of the oven, transfer it to a cutting board and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This ensures the chicken remains juicy and tender. 🍴
Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are a few handy tricks to ensure your chicken turns out perfect every time.
Even Thickness Matters: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an equal thickness. This ensures it cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out.
Use a Thermometer: Don’t rely on guesswork! A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check if your chicken is safely cooked.
Rest Before Slicing: Cutting too soon can release all the juices. Always allow your chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes.
How to Serve My Oven-Baked Chicken Breast?
This baked chicken is an excellent base for countless meals.
For a beautifully arranged dinner, slice the chicken and serve it atop a warm quinoa salad or alongside roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes. Garnish it with fresh parsley, thyme, or lemon slices for a pop of color.
If hosting a gathering, place the sliced chicken on a large platter with dipping sauces like honey mustard or herbed yogurt, and watch it disappear!
Nutritional Information
Here’s what you get per serving of baked chicken breast (based on a 4-ounce serving):
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fat: 9g
Make Ahead and Storage
This recipe is perfect for weekly meal prep and stores beautifully.
To store leftover chicken, cool it completely and place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 days. For longer storage, slice or shred the chicken and freeze it for up to 3 months. When reheating, use the oven for best results to maintain the meat’s juiciness and texture.
And there you have it! This oven-baked chicken breast recipe will transform the way you think about baked chicken. With just a few steps, you can have a delicious, juicy meal ready to enjoy in no time. Give it a try, and happy cooking!
My Oven Baked Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds total)
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 4 cups water + 1 tablespoon kosher salt for brining
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt for seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Start with the brining process—which is the secret to juicy baked chicken. Submerge the chicken breasts in a water-and-salt mixture and leave them for 15 minutes. If you plan, you can brine them for up to 6 hours in the fridge. This step helps the chicken retain its moisture during baking. 🧂
- Once brined, remove the chicken and pat it dry. Then, generously brush each piece with melted butter or olive oil. This creates those beautiful golden edges and ensures the spice rub sticks evenly. 🍗
- Sprinkle your seasoning mix generously over the chicken breasts and rub it in using your fingers. Make sure every inch is covered because this is where the flavor magic happens! Get creative if you’d like, using premade spice blends like taco seasoning or za’atar.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer inside a large baking dish. Bake for 15-18 minutes depending on their thickness. Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature hits 165°F. If you prefer crispier edges, switch your oven to broil mode for the last 3 minutes. 🔥
- Once the chicken is out of the oven, transfer it to a cutting board and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This ensures the chicken remains juicy and tender. 🍴
Notes
- Even Thickness Matters: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an equal thickness. This ensures it cooks evenly and doesn’t dry out.
- Use a Thermometer: Don’t rely on guesswork! A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check if your chicken is safely cooked.
- Rest Before Slicing: Cutting too soon can release all the juices. Always allow your chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes.
