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….
The things I would do in the kitchen with this knife! Love your recipes! 😁
Nice knife
Want this knife to be my new soul mate
I’m an avid cook for my family and friends. Sure would love to have an amazing chefs knife to better my skills!
Like others making that chicken tonight
Thanks Nagi.😊
I want this knife! Great recipe by the way it was delicious, you’re right the brown sugar is the difference maker.
juketmo@gmail.com to contact me if I win!!
I would love this knife. Mine are beyond useless and we’re currently renovating and putting in a new kitchen. That knife would look awesome in my new kitchen. Love your recipes!!!
kim.hardacre@yahoo.com.au
i would love a knife that doesn’t make me cry when i chop onions! no matter how many times i sharpen my cheap block set knives, chopping onions still makes me cry.
Would LOVE this authentic Japanese knife!!
Forgot to rate the recipe. I’ve not made one of your recipes that I don’t like!!!
I need good knife!!
Growing up at home my mother always did most of the cooking, as I got older I learned a lot from her and have taken it upon myself the past couple years to learn and practice more myself. My family thinks I love food too much but I don’t think there’s such a thing 🙂 would love the chance to experience this knife, thanks for the opportunity.
Wow Nagi, I would freak out if I won! So yes ma’am, “I want this knife!”
Waiting for your congratulatory email! woo hoo! Winner winner chicken dinner.
Love the recipes! Knife would be nice but keep the food coming.
I still have the knives I got for a wedding gift 23 years ago! I’d love to win this beautiful knife….
Nagi, your recipes are loved by 3 generations of my family. My kitchen hasn’t been the same since I discovered your website! That knife would get a workout.
I want to own this knife! I love your recipes and I will make this baked chicken soon.
AMAZING! Would absolutely love this knife!
I discovered your website just a couple of weeks ago and have already made several recipes and thoroughly enjoyed them! I’d love to win the knife. I currently only have one knife in my cooking draw. Thanks and keep up the good work. 🙂
nataliebenbow@hotmail.com
I want the knife!!🙋🏿♀️😍😍😍😘
I discovered your website just a couple of weeks ago and have already made several recipes and thoroughly enjoyed them! I’d love to win the knife. I currently only have one knife in my cooking draw. Thanks and keep up the good work. 🙂
I worked in the meat industry for 40 years and can put a good edge on a knife. But recently my brother showed me his Japanese handmade knife he purchased online. It was a joy to hold, clean in design, ergonomically perfect, beautifully balanced, and so sharp there was no effort in using it. Could never afford a knife like this just really would enjoy the thrill of having a quality knife to use. This is heirloom quality something that can be passed onto a future generation to use.