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….
Hi Nagi, long term follower of your blog! Our weekly dinners are ALWAYS a selection of your recipes (no word of a lie!). Tonight we are having Beef Fajitas which is one I haven’t tried yet. These chicken breasts look great, can’t wait to try them! I would love to own this amazing knife 🙂 Thanks for your blog, it’s been a lifesaver in our house! X
We recently moved halfway across Australia and all of our nice knives became rusted from water damage. It would be nice to tell my partner we had something nice happen. I love using your recipes and cant wait to try this chicken recipe.
I want this knife. I have been looking for something to give to my daughter when she is old enough to start cooking your recipes herself. She loves them when I cook them and always asked to help. A little chef in the making 🙂
Cooking is my passion! Baking warms my soul! And I’m half Japanese! Is that enough to win this gorgeous knife? Oh, please, I hope! I hope! Lol
And my email address is treadweiser@gmail.com.
Having just visited Japan my family is loving your mum’s recipes so we can pretend we are still there on holidays. i just need the super Japanese knife to go with my Japanese bowls and chopsticks and then we really will feel like we are back in Japan!
We visited a knife shop in Kyoto – how fantastic are they? i loved the passion the staff had for the knives. I also loved the specific utensils for different dishes. My favourite was the rectangular pan for cooking omelette style eggs in.
Lovely give away. Your mum is a bit of a star isn’t she.
That knife looks incredible…I’d love to win it!
Also, your chicken recipe looks delicious and I look forward to trying it out! Thanks for sharing with us.
I love your recipes so much Nagi! This knife looks amazing :O
p.s. Thank you for the Dozer pics
GOOD LORD NAGI ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE NOT DRUNK?? Who wouldn’t won’t one. Yes please even if I have to come to Sydny to pick up!! Now am JELOUS HOW GOOD YOUR MUM IS, GOD BLESS HER. LOVE, LOVE OUTFIT, HIW GORGES COLORS. SORRY BUT I DO NOT CARE ABOUT CHICKEN YOU CAN HAVE MY SHARE. IVE GOT AN IDEA, NEXT GIVE AWAY IS , ISS MR DOZER AND THE WINER IS VERA G!! Ok, ok, maybe NOT. Have you survive the heat wave?? Shocking . Am looking forward cooler weather. Last but not least SINCERE THANK YOU FOR YOU KINDNESS REGARDLESS WHO THE WINER IS! You are kind and generous Soul and please be NICE TO YOUR MUM24/7!!!!
Yes, I want this knife! Love kitchen gadget especially fancy knife from Japan.
BTW, thx so much for sharing all the recipes and the giveaway knife.
Hi Nagi. This looks like another great chicken recipe. I live with my wife, daughter and grandson, and as my wife is quite ill and my daughter works full time I do nearly all the cooking and would treasure such a knife. Thanks for all your great recipes.
Wow 😮 that is one Super Knife!
Would make chopping so much easier for me as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and struggle to hold my knives for too long, also save my husband from having to sous chef for me!
I have been following your blog for ages, your recipes appear at least 5 nights a week on our dining table. I have passed on and shared your link with so many friends and family I’m sure you are a household name here in Perth and in London 😄
I would love to win your knife! It’s shopping day today, I almost never buy chicken breast, always opting for the thighs (my mum is thai and I can’t remember ever eating chicken breast as a kid) but I will be making these tonight! Maybe your next giveaway should be the yakitori grill 😉
Nagi, I love your recipes. I work full time and have my handicapped husband do all the chopping and preparing for your meals to make cooking easier at night, but unfortunately, the dollar store knives just aren’t all that great. I would love if he could own that knife for easier prep time. By the way, made this recipe tonight since I had the chicken breast defrosted, came out better than expected. Would love to own that knife for my husband. Love your recipes.
I’ve died and gone to knife heaven! This knife would literally start my cooking fever to cook more for my husband and daughter.
I’ve always wanted to go to Japan not just to see the beautiful country that it is but also to buy a knife or should I say, knives! But unfortunately being on one income right now – we can’t afford either, trip or knife so this would be a great way to make me feel as if I’ve been there.
Thank you so much for the opportunity 🙏
Wow that knife is a true piece of craftsmanship! It would be a welcome addition to my kitchen.
Ps love your recipes.
I don’t just want that knife, I NEED it. I’m a uni student who loves to cook, but have only cheap knives. I know how dangerous a bad knife can be (I almost lost the top of a finger once).
Love your recipes! Thanks for the e-books. I go through them often for inspiration.
Love this blog and I’d love that knife!!! 🙂
you want this knife!!
Nagi, You are turning me into a cook! I love your recipes and videos. And I would LOVE to own this knife. Thanks for your instruction and your inspiration.
I just moved into a new home after 35 years in the same home. My knives are even older then that. My hubsband and I will celebrate 50 years of marrage on June 1. I think I’m still using the knives I got as a shower gift back then in 1968. So, boy oh boy, would I love that knife. Pick me….please!