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….
Beautiful sharp knives make a huge difference when cooking. A blunt knife can ruin a cut of meat or make a vegetable bruised. I have to say l love loving my knives and this would go to a great home and be looked after well as l could never afford such beautiful knife 😊
I love that Knife, but I really love your recipes. I always go to you first to try something new for my family and a beautiful knife like that would be wonderful to use while making your recipes. 🙂
A chef’s knife is the best tool in the kitchen,if you have a good one. I know the Japanese are the best and
this would be the last one I’ll ever need or use.
I love your website. I haven’t had much luck cooking Asian recipes, but the few I have tried from your website have all been delicious! I would love to add this knife to my kitchen too!
I would love to win the knife. Here is a knife based Haiku for your consideration (with a reference to the office):
Dwight likes Nakiri
But Usuba is better
For Benihana
I absolutely love this knife store in Japan. I accidentally stumbled upon it my first time in Tokyo and had to revisit the second time because of the quality and get one for my mom. I would love to win this for my mom. She’s the most selfless person I know and she loves cooking for others.
That knife looks amazing…yes please!
Many years ago – decades in fact – I purchased my first set of knives. I had saved up so that I could afford to spend a bit more than you would pay for an average set of knives, but not enough for really high quality. I spent time in a shop specializing in knives from around the world, with a knowledgeable sales person. I lusted after the Japanese knives but they were out of my price range – settled on German – Eberhard Schaaf Goldhamster – and have used them ever since. But whenever I handle a friend’s Japanese knives (either single or double beveled) I am envious of the superior craftsmanship and quality. I would be grateful to be selected to receive the knife in your giveaway.
Meanwhile, let me take the opportunity to express my thanks that you decided to write this food blog. You do such a marvelous job with both the recipes and the photos – I stumbled upon your site quite by accident a while ago, and I look forward to getting the periodic email reminders that something new has been posted. I consider myself a “loyal reader” now, and point other people to your blog when the subject of internet recipes comes up.
Thanks so much for all the great recipes. Never a dull kitchen moment. Wish I could say the same for my knives.
I would love to have this knife. I asked for good Japanese knives and was given Ginsu(as seen on TV).
Please help. Thank you.
Hi Nagi,
I am an avid follower of yours, I love to cook and I do a lot as I cook for my partner Julie and my grand daughters when they stay at weekends, but more importantly, I cook as much as possible for my Mum and Dad as they’re getting on a bit now!!! My Dad is 81 in May and my Mum is 77 but she has COPD and suffers with terrible pain through Athritis so I try to cook as many meals as my work shifts will allow (I do 12 day’s and nights) so my Mum doesn’t have to do too much, and they even like my cooking!!! Mind you they should do as I do a few of your recipes for them!!
So I goes without saying, although I will, that i’d love to win that fantastic knife to help me rustle up some tasty meals.
Thanks again and keep up the great work.
Paul .
I LOVE a good knife and would LOVE to have this one. A good knife in the kitchen makes ALL the difference!
And I can’t wait to try this recipe. Looks sooo yummy, my mouth is already watering!
Oh lordy lordy WHAT A BEAUTIFUL KNIFE! I want to win it! <3 desiree.ann.kerr@gmail.com
Now I have retired I’m rediscovering the joy of cooking from fresh , using your fantastic recipes and having a really good quality knife would make preparation just that much easier and more enjoyable . There is a special feeling that comes with using a good knife in the kitchen
Nagi – I would LOVE to win this fabulous knife! I agree that a good chef’s knife is your number one tool in the kitchen. Please accept my entry for this giveaway. My email address is dkk1959@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you on Friday telling me I’ve won! LOL!
Hi…
Liked this recipe. It’s simple and very appealing. Great snaps of the dish. It’s my passion to cook and I encourage you to continue the good work of sharing good recipes. The key ingredient to a good food preparation is a great knife. Thanks for the wonderful recipes.
All my favorite recipes from NAGI would be made even easier with this lux knife,
your recipes have made our family very happy, thank you!
I would SO love a good knife. It makes life so much easier. Can’t wait to try the Oven Baked Chicken Breast!
PS – Love the dog!
Thank you!
Nagi , thank you for sharing your recipes, all of them are amazing!!! ……. A Japanese Knife !!! that will be a perfect birthday gift…. BTW today is my birthday 🙂
We have bought so many knife’s that need to be sharpened each use. It would be wonderful to have a good knife. I’m trying th chicken recipe to night, thank you.
I use so many of your delicious recipes. I’ll be making this one this week.
Thank you for offering the knife give-a-way. I would love to have this knife.