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….
THIS KNIFE IS SO AMAZING, AND SO ARE YOU!!
I would love this knife!
Thanks for sharing the record and now the knife I want it badly!
Hi Nagi,
I would definitely love to have this knife! I know I’m not normally lucky in draws, but, hey, I can always live in hope!! And, after all, you’ve got to be in it to win it 🙂
Having a sharp knife would make it a lot easier to make your glorious recipes. Especially cutting that chicken and beef. At least three if not four of our weekly meals are now thanks to you.
I want this knife!! What a beaut😍
I Need a super sharp knife in my kitchen. It would make preparing dinner so much easier.
Dear Nagi! I don’t want this knife, I NEED this knife! Pick meeeeee! 🙂
I would really like to have that knife! 🙂
I’d love this Amazing Knife please!!!
oooo, me please! I LOVE Japanese cutlery! princesslobster1013@yahoo.com
I would really love to win this knife set! Thank you
Hello, I would absolutely love to win this knife. Your recipes are unique and scrumptious! My moms favorite is the butter curry chicken recipe 🙂 All the knifes in our house are dull and old, working with this knife will bring me more experience and opportunity to try and master knife skills! ❤️❤️❤️
I WANT THIS KNIFE! if love to upgrade my best chef knife.
Hi Nagi, I’ve been a huge fan for a while now and most of my instagram bookmarks are of your recipes! Just wanted to say that I appreciate all the time and effort you put into your amazing work. In regards to the reason I would like to win this knife? My mum has always wanted a Japanese knife as she’s such a passionate cook but she’s never been able to splurge either due to making sure me and my brother had food, school uniforms, heating, books etc. I remember she always made the best food on the smallest budget and I would love to have bought her, her own Japanese knife. Alas, I too can not afford her dream knife. Although I would love this beautiful piece of equipment my mother deserves this a whole lot more, she will treasure and look after this knife along with the good ol’ pots and pans she’s had for nearly 20 years! Thank you for reading my entry, good luck to every one entering!
I am starting to build my daughter’s glory box and this knife would make a beautiful addition as she loves to eat nutritious food made with love! Thanks for the opportunity……
That knife is awesome! I want!!!! Pretty please!! ❤️
I would really love to be chosen for this knife giveaway… my good knife is Ginsu…now you understand 🙂 lol
I want this amazing knife !!
I would love the knife! I’ve followed your Instagram for a long time. My family loves the dishes I make with your recipes. This chicken was especially favored. This knife would make an incredible addition to my kitchen tools. Thank you so much for the amazing recipes.