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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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….
Hi Love all your recipes. Just learning how to become a better cook and that knife would look so good in my hands here in Canada. Thanks
This is a beautiful knife and would be a joy to use in the kitchen.
Your recipes are great. and I want this knife
Amazing recipe and the knife to boot!! Yes please I’d love it xx
I’d love the knife simply because, who doesn’t love a brand new sharp knife? I have 2 chef’s knives in my kitchen now, they’re used all the time and I excessively sharpen them. So having a third in the rotation would cut down on the sharpening chore! 😉
Wow! What a gorgeous knife! That is a beautiful piece of art also! I have to admit that I have a bit of a knife fetish and have lust in my heart for this one! (Yes, i have names for my favorites!). I’ve heard that a dull knife is dangerous, however I have found the opposite to be true. You should see the industrial sized box of bandaids I keep handy on my kitchen counter😂😂!!!!
My current knife set was a Valentine’s Day present from my then boyfriend, now husband….and we’ve been married almost 27 years. Seriously, I need a good knife! Love your blog Nagi!
I have tried some of your recipes and loved them , I would love to have this knife, the workmanship is superb,
This knife would make life sooo much easier!
Thanks for the inspirational recipes! I usually try at least one every week! I would love to win the Japanese knife!!
Donna 😊
Oh wow, that knife is beautiful! I have heard before that they say Japanese knives are the best!
Hi Nagi, greetings from Argentina! I’d love to Add that masterpiece to my (small, but growing) set of kitchen tools. Love your recipes, and the ones I’ve managed not to ruin have been very well received by my friends 🙂
Cheers!
Miguel
I LOVE your recipes! I know I need a great knife, but have not spent the $$$ for one. Perhaps I will win. 😊 I need to save up for this necessary item.
Nagi I WANT that knife!! An amazing knife is the biggest helping hand in the kitchen. Japanese is my favourite cuisine and I would love to attempt great sashimi with a perfect Japanese knife leading my hand in the kitchen!! X
What a wonderful give away! Thanks Nagi! I’d be thrilled to win.
In your next giveaway, I think you should award the winner a house on the Northen Beaches 😉😂
I wish!!
Anyway, I love your recipes. I’ve put on a few kilos and am purely blaming crack bread. So good.
I’ve been making my way through your recipes – can’t wait to do some baking tomorrow now that Sydney has cooled down a little.
Thanks again for the giveaway.
I thank you for all the work you’ve done on your website and for the Great recipes that keep my taste buds alive.Please keep the ideas flowing. I believe that knife would be quite an addition to my meager set of choppers.
Thanks
Hi Nagi, I would love and very much need your wonderful Japanese knife. Thank you and good luck to all. Vivienne
Nagi, recipe looks wonderful!!! Might try it tonight Great giveaway! Would love to win.
This recipe is going to be amazing when I serve it at my daughters fundraising dinner. It’s so delicious! Thank you for adding the convection oven temp. I would love to win the Knife. But regardless I will be looking at more of your recipes in the future.
Dear Nagi,
I will be honored to win this beautiful knife. I have been thinking and thinking about buying a good one, but those, I definitely cannot afford to buy.
Thank you for all your recipes, I love them!
I saw theses knives ( or maybe a similar store) when I was in Japan about ten years ago and learned when I got back I should have bought one!
I love, love, love your recipes and must confess to using at least one of your recipes every week.