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 need that knife in my life! Like my 5 year old and nearly- 2 year old need your chicken alfredo pasta every night haha. Re-christened ‘White Pasta’, it’s one of your many recipes that will guarantee clean plates (and a chorus of ‘MORE PLEASE!’). Your website has changed the life of a busy working mum with two fussy kids who are tired and need dinner NOW. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙂 x
I cook loads, and have loved most of your recipes. I have always wanted a very good knife to use , but when looking at them in kitchen shops the price has been way more than I could ever afford I would really treasure a knife like that..
Hey Nagi greetings from Trinidad I look forward to all of your recipes,every week,and I love Dozer he makes me smile when I read of his escapades.I would so love to get this knife
Love your recipes Nagi.
Never been able to afford a really good knife so hopefully might be able to win one.
Bye for now.
Delicious recipe….being on a carb free diet is difficult and there’s only so many chicken recipes around until you give up 🙂
Would love to be considered for your giveaway 🙂
Would love to have the knife. It is beautiful and would be great to use while making your yummy recipes. I am so glad that I found your site. Plus, Dozer is a cutie.
Hi Nagi, I would absolutely love to be the owner of your Japanese knife. Regardless of whether I win or lose please continue with your fantastic recipes. I now have an awesome repertoire of meals for my wife and adult children. Thank you.
Ugh, the knife is so pretty. I waaaant it! (Please? 😉 )
I love your website, recipes and Dozer (retrievers are the best!). I would love to add that beautiful knife to my collection. Not only is it beautiful, it is a precision culinary instrument. Keep up the great work!
I love your recipes – I am so glad I found your site this year! I would love to use such an amazing knife!
I love your website, recipes and Dozer (retrievers are the best!). I would love to have that beautiful knife. Not only is is beautiful, it is a precision culinary instrument. They are a delight.
In honour of your beautiful Japanese knife, a haiku poem:
Sharp steel, glinting knife
Instrument of precision –
Answer to a prayer
Oh! How I would love to have this knife!
What to giveaway next time? How about a non stick pan to use with so many of your yummy recipes?
Your blog is so fun. I love the recipes and I would love that knife *swoon*
This knife would come extremely handy in my kitchen! My current knife has seen better days and despite numerous attempts at sharpening it, it still feels like i am painfully sawing into a piece of meat. Could not have asked for a better giveaway to come along :))
I would love to finally have a sharp good quality knife to use in my kitchen.I enjoy your recipes and the ease of most of them.
I would love to have that knife! And the seasoning for the chicken breasts sounds great. We’ll have to try it.
Hi
Love all your recipes and suggestions, mums are fabulous.
Would love to win that lovely knife!
Hi Nagi, even I love to have a free knife but frankly I’m not sure could be so lucky because your fans are over the world. I just want to thank you for your recipes, it made me & my wife become great chef to our kids, because most of their favorites western food we can serve at home & the best thing is they can eat as much as they like. God bless you Nagi..
My wife sent her warm regards to you too..