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 desperately need a new knife and would be over the moon to have a proper knife for once. Thank you for the opportunity 🙂
I’ve always wanted an awesome knife 😍
Love your posts and would love the knife!
I’ve always wanted to own a proper japanese knife but can’t afford it. I would love to win the knife.
Yes!!! I need this knife!
Btw your beef stroganoff recipe was to die for. The mushroom rice too!
Can you pls choose me? I really really want it!!! Love your recipes by the way!!!
I’d love the knife! Despite me trying a few no knife seems to feel right and always get blunt very quickly!
Nagi pleaseeee, I need this knife in my life! Thank youuu!!!
Ps. Like my little one always says, ‘I want never gets’ hence the ‘I need’ *chuckle*
I am @mischjacq on ig btw.
I would love to get this Wonderful knife for My new Kirchen. Greetings from Germany!
I’m already dreaming about this knife. Always a huge fan of handmade forged knifes and I think this giveaway is the closest I ever got from a quality japanese knife. Please make my dream come true. I will sleep with my fingers crossed until Friday. tmr-thiago@live.com
Yes!! I want them!!! Finally a world wide giveaway I can enter. BTW, I love your chicken kebab.
Ohhh I would love to have that knife! I’ve been trying to cook more for my family (with help from you) and this would be a great addition to my kitchen. Thank you, it’s very sweet of you.
I WANT THIS KNIFE!!!!!!!!
Wow! What a beautiful knife 🙂 Can’t wait to try your chicken recipe – it looks delicious!
After trying several of your recipes the only improvement I would suggest is making preparation easier – with this beautiful knife!!
Omg, I just tried this recipe and it was aaaaahhmazing. I love your Instagram page and literally bookmark all your recipes. So grateful that you share your recipes. This knife would be fantastic to use – would love it! Thanks for the opportunity!
Haha dozer at the end 😂
I do love and use your recipes but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I check in daily for any dozer updates.
And boy would I love that knife! The one I’m currently using is 3 years old from Kmart, i think it’s well and truly on it’s last legs!
OMG, i would absolutley love this knife! I am in nursing school and try to cook every day still! I think this knife can make things go a lot faster in the kitchen!!! =)
I would LOVE to win this knife!!!Thanks from the opportunity, Nagi! Your recipes have been so good, especially your caramel pork!
Not only have I tried many of your recipes , but I have even sent a few to my sons… One in college and one working in another state. We have loved everything we’ve tried from your recipe collection! And I’m in desperate need of a good kitchen knife… 😉