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….
Love all your recipes I’ve tried and this one looks yummy too. I would love to win the knife. If i don’t though i’m going to Tokyo in November so i’ll be checking out that store 😀
I would love to have (win) this knife to help me prepare your most wonderful recipes for not only my family but also my friends. How much they would all appreciate this!
And thank you for your amazing recipes, plus moms.
I’d love to win the beautiful knife so that I can create some amazing meals using your the techniques and recipes. You always have awesome recipes ideas and sauces.
Thank you Nagi!!
Linda
Hi Nagi,
This knife looks absolutely amazing and I want it very much! I love to cook and having a knife like this would be awesome! Thank you so much for all the great recipes you have shared!
Hi there Nagi,
I’ve subscribed to several recipe subscriptions via computer over the years, but I must tell you that I love yours the most. Everything I make from what you email me are always a hit! And, that knife your giving away would be the frosting on the cake to make your recipes.
Always look forward to hearing from you & a Happy belated St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Marti
I really need a knife like this one in my life! Thank you for the recipe! daynalennie@hotmail.com
Hi Nagi, I would love to win the knive, my Husband is obesest with good quality kitchen knives
Have recently found your wonderful recipes. First in Pinterest and then your website. You are now my new “Go-To” lady when I want a recipe. Thank you so much for all the work you put into each recipe and not only that but the tips at the bottom of each are invaluable.
My friends call me “a foodie” but a foodie with It a Japanese Knife? Unheard of! So I hope to be the winner of this prized item.
This chicken recipe… I mixed up the spices and used it for chicken (delicious and easy) but it will keep for pork chops as well.
Thanks again
Oh my – my husband would love me FOREVER if I won this knife!
Oh me me meeeee! I’ve seen a few videos of these knives being used and absoluetly adore them. Frankly makes me want to hop on a plane and go get a few lol. Id love to enter!
I want this knife!🙂 thank you for the recipe…. I will be trying I. Looks delicious
I should have attached an embarrassing photo of the knife I usually use. It wasn’t a good knife when I bought it and it didn’t get any better.
I would be overjoyed if I won the knife.😊 Thank you for your wonderful recipes. I’ve used many of them. I’m eager to try the oven baked chicken breast. It looks delicious.
Yes please. I would love this knife. I would hide it from my family. ‘My precious!’
Great read! Looking forward to trying it out this weekend!
I would love to win the Knife set!!
a knife like this would be a fabulous asset in any kitchen,especially mine.
Can’t wait to try the chicken! The knife would be such a treasure to win and would have pride of place in my kitchen.
Hi Nagi,
What a beautiful knife I would love to own.
It certainly leaves my 1970’s Wiltshire Stay Sharp with self sharpening scabbard in the shade.
😂
Best wishes
Dale
A perfectly beautiful knife that I would love to have! And the chicken looks wonderful too! Was just thinking about the week’s menu. As we eat chicken regularly, this will be a welcome addition!
I would dearly love to have this knife. I have been looking for the perfect knife my entire life, but have never found it. This knife surely fits the bill. Thanks.
I would love the knife 🙂