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 definitely want this knife!
I love these knives! I would love this since I love to cook! I hope it’s me 😊
I want this amazing knife please !!
Hi Nagi,
I hope I’ll win this knife! 😊
Would love the chance to win – thank you!
My whole family loves your recipes!! Would love to have this nice knife to show off my skills in the kitchen when I entertain 🙂
I want this knife, not for myself but for my brother. He’s the cook in our family and makes great food. His birthday is in May and this would make a wonderful birthday present since I can’t afford a $500 knife. Thank you!
I’m really tired of buying advertised knives that will save the world, and they never really perform up to what is claimed. I would truly put this knife to work in the kitchen.
Omg Nagi your recipe are amazing.
I love cooking i made some yummy food from your recipe book straight to my inbox.
I would love to have that gorgeous knife in the kitchen too. 😊
I would love this knife! I have maybe 1 knife that’s sharp enough but I’d prefer this beauty. Love your recipes so keep them coming.
Lovely recipe! I plan on whipping this up with my boyfriend this weekend (BTW your Chinese crispy pork belly was the BOMB.)
I don’t really enter these kinds of contests but I’d really love to win this beautiful knife. Personally I wouldn’t trust myself using this so I thought I’d give it to my mom to use instead. She owns our family Chinese restaurant and we’ve been struggling a bit but I think this knife would be a perfect gift for her. Thank you for the opportunity and have a good one!
I just love dozer! I love when I see him in your posts!
I would love this knife for my amazing musician/cook fiancé! He’s working with Rada now and definitely could use an upgrade. And a golden retriever, but that’s a different giveaway I think 😉
I would love to win this knife!
kurtismanke123@gmail.com
Great recipe! I would love to win this awesome knife!
I would love to have a great and sharp knife for my kitchen! I enjoy all the recipes you post and have tried quite a few!
Your recipes are scrumptious ! It’s great to have variety for dinners demolished by a large bunch! The knives are amazing!
i love that you’re giving away something so cool!!
…and i would love to win this coolness☑️
Hello Nagi! I absolutely love the thought of some delicious baked chicken on the menu this week and I love this giveaway! I would love to win this knife because I used to live in Japan and I loved everything about the entire experience. If I ever have the chance to return, I’d do so in a heartbeat! Maybe winning this knife will help me get through until I can go back! 😉 In all seriousness, thank you for always sharing such wonderful recipes and photography tips! They are much appreciated.
What a gorgeous knife! I would be honored to be able to have this knife & since I am of Japanese descent it would make it all the more special! I really enjoy all of your recipes & your mom’s 👍