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….
What sort of paprika? Can I use sweet paprika ?
Hi El, either would be fine here – N x
Sounds good. Thanks Nagi!
Can you use smoked paprika?
All I have is chicken breast with bone in it and they are pretty large. How would I adapt this temperature and cooking time?
Hi Lisa, I’d remove the bone and pound the breasts out thin so they cook as per the recipe 🙂
Thanks for sharing this detailed oven baked chicken recipe. It looks charming.
You’re so welcome!!
Great recipe; I made a few alterations. I put olive oil together with the spices and rubbed it in. I also realized that it was not chicken breast but small chicken fillet. Nonetheless it was insanely tender. I also added smoky paprika and would omit or only use a small amount of oregano and thyme. My husband is not a fan of these spices. Would definitely make the recipe again. Super easy, tasty and tender!
I’m so glad you loved it Fern!
Does this taste too sweet thanks
My wife made this recipe and accidentally used cayenne pepper instead of paprika, I loved it, my wife and one year old not so much, but looking to trying the paprika version.
I can’t help but have a giggle! I hope you like the paprika version better 😂
This is brilliant. Turns out so well, I’ve never had such moist baked chicken breasts! Wow!
Thanks!
Wahoo! That’s great Nicole!
Hey Nagi,
After seasoning can I put the chicken in the fridge a while before cooking?
Hubby gave it two thumbs up and rated it 5 stars. I have never baked chicken breasts before and this was super simple and yummy. Thanks!
Wahoo! That’s great to hear Debbie!
I tried this tonight and it was absolutely amazing! It’s definitely going into my files as a new favorite. I tend to mess up chicken even though other people find it super easy to bake, but I was able to make this and have it come out perfectly moist and flavorful. Thank you!
That’s great Jennifer!
Hah, silly me…We’ve been guilty of not doing that enough in general for cooking; We’re only amateurs!
This was a simple recipe and the chicken turned out delicious and moist! My husband and 3 year old enjoyed it! Paired it with sweet potatoes that baked alongside the chicken 🙂 I’m so glad to have come across your recipe. Thank you
Winner winner chicken dinner Stella, thanks so much for letting me know – N x
This is so easy and so delicious!! Chicken is super moist! I have made this several times and this time I used Splenda brown sugar and I think it was even better!
Oh that’s really good to know Christy!
Easy, moist and delicious! The whole family loved it including the picky eaters. Bonus! Its gluten free! Brilliant job Nagi.
Hi Nagi,
I don’t have parchment paper. What other options can I use?
Hi DD, the parchment paper stops the chicken from sticking – just spray some foil with a little oil if you don’t have paper – N x
Simple yet delicious, very good recipe! Recommend everyone to try!
Woot! Thanks Rachel!
Oven Baked Chicken Breast is great! To be honest, I’m not good at cooking but I like them, they give me joy and excitement every time I finish the dishes, which is a great thing. With your recipe, I just need to follow the instructions and the rest is simple, thank you for sharing them.
You’re so welcome Rontimco!
I eat chicken a lot but never brined because I really didn’t think it would make a big difference, all I can say is WOW!!!!
Thank Nagi😃
Really simple recipe and a great end result. Served with roasted new potatoes and salad.
Fabulous to hear Sarah!
I can’t believe how easy this was to make. Thanks for sharing!
You’re so welcome Mel!
Delicious, this chicken was moist and full of flavour. Definitely have again
That’s great to hear Teresa!
Very tasty chicken will definitely be making this again