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.
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
A JUICY Baked Chicken Breast!
Though I always stand firm that brown meat is better than white – more flavour, more juiciness – lean chicken breast is a regular in my shopping trolley, week after week.
So today, I’m sharing my recipe for how I make Oven Baked Chicken Breast.
We can never have too many really great quick chicken breast recipes!
As simple as it sounds, if you whack a seasoned breast in the oven without thought, the chances are you’ll be chewing your way through dry chicken, furiously squirting over copious amounts of ketchup to try to salvage it.
It doesn’t need to be that way. Enter – a fabulous simple, magic chicken seasoning for baked chicken breast:
The Chicken Breast Seasoning
Made with just brown sugar, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper, the secret ingredient in this is brown sugar:
Makes more seasoning, so you can coat the breast thoroughly and give it a beautiful crust without overpowering it with lots of spices that need longer to cook than chicken breast does; and
Makes it juicy – the chicken sweat while it bakes, so you end up with wetness that makes the chicken more juicy than the usual baked chicken breast.
Yes it adds sweetness but don’t worry, this baked chicken breast is still savoury!
How long to cook chicken breast
A medium chicken breast will take 18 – 20 minutes to bake at 220C / 425F. Cooking it hard and fast at a high temperature is the secret to gorgeous caramelisation and ultra juicy chicken inside. No dried out breast around here!!
The seasoning for this chicken is actually a really great indicator for when the chicken is cooked to perfection. Basically, once the surface of the chicken is caramelised, it’s cooked to perfection inside so get it out of the oven!
My last tip for a truly great Baked Chicken Breast is to pound it to even thickness, either with a rolling pin, meat mallet or even with your fist (very therapeutic). This has the double effect of even cooking as well as tenderising the meat.
The secret behind this baked chicken is the simple, magic seasoning
Most popular of all chicken breast recipes!
This Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast is the single most popular of all chicken breast recipes I’ve ever shared.
But don’t believe me. Have a browse below of what others have to say!
Try serving this with a side of Garlic Butter Rice with Kale, pictured in post. One pot carb + veg side, with kale made delicious! Otherwise, try a flavoured Rice Side like Tomato Basil Rice or Mushroom Rice.
If you’re in the mood for potatoes, try this Lemon Potato Salad, a classic creamy Potato Salad or a lighter No-Mayo Red Potato Salad with Charred Corn and Bacon.
And for something fresh, Spring Salad or Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing would go with the chicken beautifully. Else, simply drizzle steamed greens or a garden salad with Italian Dressing, Balsamic or French Vinaigrette. – Nagi x
More chicken breast recipes readers love!
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast – Super easy, super delicious!
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast – No breadcrumbs needed!
Chicken Kiev – A retro classic! Crumbed and fried chicken breast stuffed with oozing garlic butter …
Browse all chicken recipes
Baked Chicken Breast recipe
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Oven Baked Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts , 150 – 180g / 5 – 6 oz each (Note 1)
- 2 tsp olive oil
Seasoning:
- 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
Garnish, optional:
- Finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C (200°C fan).
- 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).
- Mix Seasoning.
- 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.
- Flip chicken. Drizzle with 1 tsp oil, rub with fingers, sprinkle with Seasoning, covering as much of the surface area as you can.
- Bake 18 minutes, or until surface is golden per photos and video, or internal temperature is 165°F/75°C using a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and immediately transfer chicken to serving plates.
- Wait 3 – 5 minutes before serving, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Pictured with a side of Garlic Butter Rice with Kale.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Recipe originally published March 2018. Updated for housekeeping matters in March 2019, no change to recipe.
* The story and details of the Handcrafted Japanese Knife giveaway that originally accompanied this recipe when published was moved into a separate post because the Giveaway has finished.
LIFE OF DOZER
It’s just hanging there, taunting him. He sniffs at it, suspiciously….
Wow, just made this for supper today , the chicken was super moist and oh so delicious! Will be making this on a regular basis, as it is an easy no fuss recipe, thanks!
This comes out perfect every time – kids love it and it’s on a weekly rotation here!
Wow mi receta favorita. La voy a preparar, de solo ver me dió hambre.
I’ve always struggled with making good tender not tough or dry chicken breasts. I’ve tried many recipes and I must say that I have found the perfect recipe! My family was so happy with how this chicken came out! This will be my GO TO chicken recipe. I followed it to a T. I made roasted potatoes and broccoli to go with it.
My new favourite recipe,you are the best thank you 🥰
This oven baked chicken breast looks super juicy and easy to make. I’ll definitely try it this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is just what I needed. Will definitely be trying it out.
I love this meals. They are well prepared and looks very healthy and yummy
Mmmmhhhhh j’adore le poulet 🤤 e ça se voit c’est délicieux
I was looking for a new way to bake chicken and chose this recipe since we’ve had great success with others by Nagi. My family of four loved it! Will add it to our rotation, maybe with a pinch of cayenne next time.
Cooked this for Supper last night. One of the best Chicken meals I think I’ve had. Thanks for the recipe.
If you could eat a rainbow, THIS is exactly what it would taste like
cluckin’ awesome!
This is our go to chicken recipe! My daughter calls it punch chicken as I get her to tenderize it for me!
Chicken was moist and tasty. The seasoning brings out the flavour. This recipe can be done when you are short of time. Simple, quick and easy!!
Absolutely foolproof, will be my new go-to for easy mealprep!
I have made this several times and it always turns out great! It is an easy recipe with great results!
Could you do this in the air fryer or will it dry out too much?
I don’t often comment, but my God did this turn out well.
Threw some parmesan and breadcrumbs on there, it comes out as a lower calorie alternative to a chicken parm.
My new favourite recipe! The chicken is so juicy and tasty. You’re the best, Nagi, thank you! 🤩
Now, you have done it. This is my new favourite meals. Absolutely delicious. Baked exactly 18 minutes, like you suggested. I wanted to lick the plate but was too embarrassed. To go with it, I peeled a russet potato and slices it super thin on the side of the box grater. I drizzle the tiniest amount of oil on them and salt and rimmed the pan with these. since they were so thin (paper thin) they baked in the same time as the chicken. Thank you Thank you.