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 will love a great knife to use in my kitchen!
Chicken recipe was a huge success in my home. Thank you!
I would love to win this wonderful knifer
Yay, a give away I can actually enter!!!!! Yes please, I’d love the knife and stone! And I am a fellow Southern Hemispherian (you know, on one of those little islands south of you ) who gets really irritated when they say “open to US and Canadian followers only”. We miss out on sooooo many give always just cuz we live way-down-here. Maybe your next give away could be for Down Underers only
Awesome looking chicken breast and will make it soon. The knife very nice and will be used on a daily basis.
Hi I do alot of cooking, love trying all type of recipes However when it comes to cutting or chopping my knifes are so dull even if I try sharping them,I have severe arthritis it gets so painful at the end of day,From trying to cut ,SMH
Love, love your recipes, can always count on them to be full of flavour. Your Epic Chunky Beef & Mushroom Pie is a huge hit around here! ( had never used dried porcini mushrooms before). Anyway, would LOVE to own this knife as I really don’t have any of such quality.
Hi Nagi, I love your recipes, and I would very much like to have this wonderful knife!!!
My husband started cooking for me when he “discovered” the kitchen on his retirement!
He now cooks for us about 4 or 5 nights of the week…
I’ve bought him various good knives over the last few years but as he has a “big” birthday coming up soon I would love to give him a real treat. He would really love this knife and wouldn’t I get some good credit from it?
Best wishes
Angela
This is an exquisite looking knife. I would love to have it in my kitchen! Also, recipe looks delicious and easy!
I would love to have this knife! I know my work in the kithen will be far easier with a good knife this. And since I struggle to have the energy to cook, it will help us be healthier by making my limited energy go further.
I so want this knife, at 76 years of age I don’t think I will ever have a chance like this to own such a fine kitchen tool.
I make custom pepper mills and this will be a great addition to my kitchen equipment.
As a die-hard Japanophile, this kitchen knife would be a dream come true! What a fantastic giveaway. Thanks Nagi!
Hi Nagi,
That knife looks amazing! Wish I could go to Japan to pick one up in person…but while I’m dreaming and hoping, I’d love to win the knife!
Thanks,
Jackie
I would love to have this knife I’m a dad who cooks for 4 great kids and I’ve tried to make each one of them learn a new cooking technique and a new way to prepare food. Cooking is fun!
I want this knife! Please??!!!
I would be honored to win this knife!
I would love love LOVE to own this knife!
(First time posting a comment, long time lover of your blog – in fact my friends are sick of me coz I recommend it to them so often…)
Hello Nagi, many many thanks for your food ideas, many have been made with great success.
Yes I would love to enter for the knife. Or where they may be available from.
Thanks again.
Thank you so much for your amazing recipes. Have only started getting your emails in the last couple of months and your recipe collections are my go to for evening meals- quick and delicious what more could you want. Have shared many of your recipes with family and friends.
Would love a new knife to making preparing food easier but a winner anyway with your Fabolous recipes. Thanks again
As you say a great knife is the single most important tool in the kitchen and as yet I have not found one. I would love to be able to slice my tomatoes without having to get the serrated edge out, still one can dream !!! But yes I really would like to win your Japanese knife. Many thanks for the chance.