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….
Do you use skin-on chicken or skinless?
Boneless skinless breast
Boneless chicken breast
This is so good & easy to prepare; chicken was very moist, even though I had to bake an extra 3 minutes. I was wary of the paprika but it was great; the blend of the topping is delicious.
Will the chicken breast dry up if I plan to serve it a few hours later or perhaps the next day? Any tips to keep it moist?
Wow! I thought oven baked chicken was always dry and gross. I was wrong! They turned out great! I will be doing this one again. Cheers!
This looks amazing – must try! Also thinking would this be a good recipe to use for flavorful quick cooked chicken breast to then shred and have in hand for meals through the week?
Yes 100% Nicole, great idea! N x
Could I use this for chicken Alfredo, or will the brown sugar make it too sweet?
I am actually allergic to chicken so I have no clue what this recipe tastes like but my husband swears it’s the best chicken he’s ever had! Thank you for sharing
Oh no! I couldn’t imagine a life without eating chicken – I’m so glad your husband loves it though, thanks so much for the feedback! N x
Made this recipe exactly as described for date night. So tasty, succulent and very simple! Served with some veg and went down very well!! Thanks very much for sharing.
I’m so glad I found this recipe!
What more can you ask for – it’s sooo delicious and easy to make. Thanks so much for sharing it.
I love how you made me pound chicken with my fist. Delicious recipe!
Get rid of that anger 😂 – N x
I make this time and time again. It is as promised
Would this work with thin chicken breast cutlets or it would it dry out?
This is some of the best chicken I’ve ever had—we made this tonight and my family is hooked. It’s an instant favorite. Thank you!
Absolutely amazing!!!
This was so easy and so delicious. Will make again and again and again!!
Easy and tasty, my son approved
Would add picture but dont know how to.. also nice colour and smells delicious.
Made this dish tonight. Followed the directions exactly. One of the best chicken roast I’ve made!! Even my picky boyfriend approved
Oh dear! Let me tell you….this was amazing! So sweet and savory and juicy!!!
This turned out phenomenal! I had 4 large chicken breasts (250g each) but I didn’t slice them in half, just beat them flat with a rolling pin. I also doubled the spice mix. My chicken didn’t caramelize like your photos but I pulled it out once it reached an internal temp of 165. Juicy, moist and perfectly flavored. My daughter who doesn’t even like chicken much had third helpings! A keeper recipe for sure.
Light or dark brown sugar? Smoked or sweet paprika?
Hi M, light brown sugar and any type of paprika will work here 🙂 N x
This dish was not just any oven baked chicken, it was soooo delicious!!! My family gave both thumbs up! Too bad I can’t share my picture 😉