My Oven Baked Chicken Breast
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! This recipe for oven-baked chicken breast completely turned things around for me. It produces beautifully juicy and tender chicken with a hint of comforting spices in every bite.
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.