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….
Wow! I’ve never used such a fancy knife before! Thanks for doing this giveaway & giving someone a chance to own this knife!
I would really love to have this beautiful knife.
I love this knife!
I love your recipes and use them constantly, I made this chicken last night and the whole family loved it, as always.
My wife keeps saying that I should get a couple of really good knives because i am constantly sharpening and honing and whinging about the cheap ones we have here, but i tell her I’m not a chef and never will be so an expensive knife would be wasted on myself, but after seeing this exquisite knife you have I’ve been dreaming about how awesome it would be to own such piece of precision workmanship.
That knife though 😍 I want!!
That knife would be amazing- I’d love to win it!!
I really really really want this knife!!!
I love all your recipes and they have saved my marriage! All I need now are the right kitchen tools….
I would LOVE to win this absolutely beautiful knife!
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I went to a friends house and she had some nice high end knives which made prep work actually enjoyable! Would love to have a go to knife in my own kitchen. Every recipe I’ve made from you, I’ve received so many compliments. Thank you! Yes
This looks quick and easy – perfect combo with a 2 year old and newborn getting in the way of prep time (though i would have to keep the knife far away from the edge of the counter!!)
This knife is absolutely beautiful!! I would love to own this knife…but whoever wins it is a very lucky person!
Hi Nagi!
“I want this knife!” Would love this knife actually… it’s gorgeous! The craftsmanship! And who wouldnt love some extra precision and confidence in the kitchen! ☺️
Thank you for all your delicious recipes!
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The knife is beautiful and the recipe looks delicious.
Can’t wait to try this chicken! I finish my grilled chicken with honey sometimes & I’m guessing the brown sugar has a similar result. So yummy!
The knife is stunning, too…my kitchen & cooking wouldn’t do it justice but I want it anyway. Just because 🙂
Have put 2 of my sons who are flatting onto your site too as we have never had a bad meal from you and this is my ‘go to site’!
Have the chicken breasts ready for this one to try.
I would love to be considered for the knife.
Keep the recipes coming!
Hi, Nagi! Can’t wait to try this new recipe and also would love to win this beautiful knife!
Hi Nagi. Not hard to see why your site is so popular. This recipe looks like another winner! On the weekend I made your meatloaf recipe and tonight it is the sesame crusted salmon. Since stumbling across your site late last year – cooking the evening meal has become sooooooo much easier. Your site is a gem – not only tasty, simple recipes – but such a warm and gracious hostess. I would love to win the knife – of course! But will be happy to keep coming back for more wonderful recipes.
Gorgeous knife!