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….
I want that beautiful knife.
I would love to give the knife a home in my kitchen!
I can honestly say, my life was changed and my love for cooking really blossomed after I invested in a good knife (my first one was Japanese also!)
Whenever anyone asks, what my favorite kitchen tool is or the most useful, I always tell them to invest in a good knife!
Cheers!!
I’m so excited for this giveaway and would LOVE this knife!
I love to cook and try new recipes. This knife would be amazing to have. I only have Walmart knives that aren’t so good.. But I’m cooking and that’s all that matters .
I’ll be so much freaking happy to have this knife in my kitchen!!!! Especially as present from you 😊
Your receipts are amazing and video are so delicious 😋
I’d love this knife to give to my husband! He’s a retired firefighter and does all the cooking. I share your recipes with him all the time!
Hello, Nagi, I love all of your recipes easy to follow and yummy, especially my hubby love braised pork belley to eat with ramen. I would love to have the knife.
Theonie
From Bay Area California, USA
hapi day Nagi
i very much used Global knife for most of chopping cutting. luv japanese how knife been make and sharpest. thank you
Would love that knife ❤️ Thanks!
I would love to win that beautiful knife, Nagi! And will be making this chicken breast tonight. Both look amazing! 🙂
I would LOVE this knife. I’m totally obsessed with cooking and your recipes aren’t favourite on the web. I agree a great knife is everything!!!!!❤️
I would love this knife! I just got married and am starting to cook for my husband and myself. It would be a great addition! Rothuadventures@gmail.com
It’s my mother in law birthday next month, if I win the knife I’ll be more than happy to give it to her because she is a great cook and the best mother in law in the world.
I would love to win this amazing knife!
I’ve loved all the recipes you share with us and have tried several. They all turned out great! Thank you !
I would love to win this knife as I cook daily Chinese/Asian foods for my family of 6 and I can really use a good crafted knife. 🙂
I would use this knife every day! Especially when making your amazing recipes. My husband and I have always kicked ourselves for not buying a knife while we lived in Japan.
A Sharp Knife is a Chef’s Best Friend ~ Ancient Proverb …….. I could definitely use a new sharp knife in my collection. It looks amazing! Just printed this recipe to make tomorrow. Looks delicious.
I wish I had a knife that cut that great! Also, your recipes are the best. Mushroom rice is one of my weekly staples.
Hola Nagi, me encantan tus recetas. Que bello el cuchillo! Y que lindo sería tenerlo en la cocina.
PD.. pero la foto que más me encantado fue del Golden Retriver.😍😍🐕.
Feliz Día!
I want that knife!!!!