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 would love to have this knife, absolutely stunning! I also love your recipes, thank you for sharing them! Will def be making this chicken for dinner tonight
This knife is amazing! I would love to have it!
I think this give away is great. I too would like a chance to receive this. I also love your recipes and videos.
Nagi, I wouldn’t truly honored to give your knife a new home. I am an enthusiastic home cook, and could never dream of purchasing such a treasure. I am not the most eloquent writer, but I am a loyal friend, fan and mother, and try to contribute to my community as do you.
I wish you all good things, Lisa
I would love to win this knife, I’m a home cook but was taught a few things by a chef.
I would love to not have to worry about my fingers all the time, love all your recipes Nagi, and all your stories about Dozer
I would love to own a knife like this. I will be married for 50 years this summer and I have always “made do”. Time is running out to up my ante! 😉. I think winning this knife would make even my nephew, a chef, envious.
I will be super excited if I’m the lucky recipient
If I win it it I hope customs does not charge me huge import duties 😂
Mmm chop chop who’s coming for dinner I prepared a feast for you all with a stunning gift from Nagi all the way from Japan via Australia !
This recipe looks really good & I have all the ingredients so plan on making it soon. Will leave a comment & rating on how well it went when I do. I’ve got some really nice knives but need a much better one so this one is looking really good….lol. Thanks, Nagi, for all the great recipes!
I would like the knife. I have only recently discovered your site. Your recipes are great, but what I keep coming back for are your Life with Dozier postings…there’s nothing like a Golden. I also enjoy cooking…the knife would be a great addition to my kitchen. Thank you for putting all of the details in your recipe postings…very helpful.
Yes I would love that knife. It would seriously change my cooking life.
I have been a great fan of your website for a while now . I love the Dozer commentary ,having two land sharks of my own who arrive in the kitchen as soon as I start cooking. This knife would make a great addition to my kitchen ! Thank you for the opportunity
Yes please would love this knife in my kitchen to make more of your recipes. My family loves your recipes, they’re always a hit in our house.
Nagi, I would love to have this knife! Thank you for your great blog.
Love your recipes! Would love to win the knife. A good knife is a treasure.
I now have a notebook with many,many recipes in them.We use Charlie with most meals.We would love to win that knife.Thanks Again for pictures of Dozer.
Since finding your site, I’ve added so many new-to-us recipes into regular rotation here. There is always something I’m wanting to try and haven’t had a failure yet! I’d love to win this truly exceptional knife to help me create more wonderful meals.
Nagi, I not only want this knife, I need it. I have been waiting until I could afford a GREAT knife, so thanks for this opportunity to win one!
Yes please I would love to own this knife
Hi Nagi! Thank you for this chicken recipe – looks really tasty and healthy- and this giveaway. I really want to this knife for my husband actually. He does such much for me and he has wanted a knife like this before, but we just had a baby, so I couldn’t afford to get him one for Christmas. It would make him and me extremely happy to win this knife and I can vouch that it would be a beloved kitchen companion in our home.
I want that knife because as a talented cook, I only have 2 knives that I really like at home. I would even take that knife if you used it just knowing a famous blogger/chef like you used it! :>)