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….
Definitely would love that knife….Sharper is always better….Thx Nagi!
I’ve got to have that knife!
Yes please, I would looove to have this wonderful knife 🙂
Hi Nagi,
Thank you for the giveaway and for your blog – your mom’s too. Every time I see your email or your mom’s I quickly click on it and start salivating. I’ll even read recipes of things I don’t like to eat just to read about the tips.
Cheers,
Alice
Please enter me into the draw Nagi !!!! I would LOVE to win this knife…. I am thoroughly enjoying your recipes and blogs which have really spiced up my culinary efforts!
I would love to win this knife for my husband, who is such an awesome help in the kitchen!
I would love to win this knife
Oh my goodness, I would love to have that knife!! I have learned that storing knives in a knife block will dull the blade faster so I recently had Jon mount a magnetic knive rack above the stove. I don’t know why I never did this before, I love having my knives so accessible. The chicken recipe looks amazing, simple and delicious. It is perfect for a weeknight dinner
Hello Nagi!
I love your kind and generous heart! I would love to have a real kitchen knife! My mother in law is Japanese and your recipes, and thorough instructions, always make me a kitchen hero at all of our family gatherings. I am so grateful I found you!
Cheers!
Hi Nagi,
I keep telling my husband, I need a knife set from Japan! My knives are the worst set given to me as a gift from my aunt. Good intentions but… Trust things made in Japan!! Thanks for offering this beautiful knife! Also thank you for that delicious looking baked chicken recipe! I like my baked chicken but my husband thinks it’s boring. Can’t wait to try the brown sugar on the chicken.
Best regards to you and your family,
Stephanie
This recipe looks yummy and winning this knife would be awesome! Thanks for all your wonderful recipes, tips & photos (especially of Dozer).
Hi Nagi, would definitely love the knife! Would be a great starter for my daughter who has just moved out of home!
This knife is on my bucket list. I must have t before I expire. I’m 87 yrs old and my most memorable journey was to Japan when I retired. I can still see the chef at our Ryokan preparing our meals. What a divine pleasure it would be to relive some of the moments. Thank you in advance for this opportunity. I ove your recipes, and prepare about 98% of them.
What a beautiful knife! I have some quality implements, but nothing as stunning as this! I love your recipes, total success with every one I have tried. Thanks!
Oh yes, I’m in dire need of a good knife!
Julie
This would be a nice win, I definitely want it. I’ll be moving to Yong San soon, I know it’s not Tokyo but it’s close.
Oh, what a beautifully crafted knife. I would love this knife.
Thanks for your amazing recipes,
Wendy
I am a total nut for a good knife, and the Japanese knives are not only exceptional tools but works of art as well. This knife might be almost as good as your recipes! Have your Mom bring back one of those 20-lb grills for your next give-away 🙂
I’ll be trying the recipe this week, but I already know it will be a winner!
Greetings Nagi,
Would love the opportunity to use the Japanese knife in my kitchen. Thank you & your mum for sharing your recipes and some culture.
Cheers,
_Hao
This would be a nice win, I definitely want it. I’ll be moving to Yong San soon, I know it’s not Tokyo but it’s close. Jeremyj1691@yahoo.com