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….
My husband came home today after a heart attack and I was looking at things to cook when I found your recipe. It sounds stupid but if you have to cook slightly differently it’s a bit stressful so I was so grateful for the recipe that I cried, so thanks. It was great. X
Why is there no metric option? This website is living in the past.
Will not try this recipe again. Not much taste.
Fantastic recipe and so easy! Thank you ❤️
It is a crime I have taken SO long to leave a review on this recipe. THIS IS LITERALLY THE BEST GO TO CHICKEN RECIPE IN THE WORLD. Y’all… I have made this hundreds of times. I’ve learned that if it’s NOT good it’s NOT the recipe. So, try it again if you didn’t like it. I make this every single time I host (which is a lot) and every single time EVERYONE asks for the recipe. Granted, my husband has started grilling the chicken and it just brings it up a notch. I serve this with the Buttery Seasoned Rice recipe she has and EVERYONE RAVES about the rice and asks for that recipe too. SO easy to make the chicken and rice and it’s such a crowd pleaser. (And budget friendly!!!). Like, literally the best recipe. If I got a penny for every time I have sent out this recipe to friends and family I’d be RICH.
THANK YOU for creating such an easy delicious recipe and sorry it took me YEARS to leave this review 😭😭.
Oh, another thing, we will grill up a huge batch and then make gourmet sandwiches. Divine. I use the leftovers in so many things and it’s just so good.
This is the best chicken breast recipe I have found,, and it is now my go to recipe for sure… Easy instructions, amazing rub for the chicken… We look forward to chicken night in our house for sure.. Thanks
Wondering if this would freeze well. Anyone?
Hi Nagi
Thank you for this recipe and such clear instructions. Such a silple and adaptable process. Everyone here dined well tonight.
🙂
The very best tasting chicken breast ever and yes tender too!!
My absolute new favorite Chicken Recipe. I did not have Thyme or Oregano in my pantry, so I used Italian Herb Seasoning.instead . I also used Organic boneless skinless thighs and it was wonderful. My family loves my Korean chicken, but I’ll have to surprise them with this. I forwarded this Recipe to my daughter to try and surprise her boyfriend with!!🤣
Hands down the best Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe I have ever tried. The delicious spices that were rubbed in resulted in amazing flavor. Pounded the chicken as suggested, and despite it being much thinner than the original breast, it stayed moist and juicy. It reminded me of the rotisserie chicken that we enjoy from a local restaurant. This recipe is a keeper!
It would be great to also have airfryer cook times. Especially for this baked chicken breast for 2 people!
Love all your meals, have not cooked one that I have not liked and I have cooked a lot of them.
Put in it upside down ?What is this? Video shows internal part of breast down . Confused
I burnt it… it was Schnizel sized and not regulat chicken breasts. Trying again today.. Will report back.
I am new to cooking, and I made this and it was quite good. Great flavor, easy to follow, and the chicken was not dry at all.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that pain – it is heartbreaking. I am glad you and your sweet Dozer had each other – together, you brought smiles and joy to countless other people, and I thank you for that. I am praying for good things ahead for you as I treasure Dozer’s memory.
Very easy recipe to complete and came out flavorful and delicious. Good tip on having all pieces be the same thickness/tenderized. Well received!
Glad Dozer had a wonderful life with you.
Incredible
There is nothing like the love of a dog. I know how special Dozer was to you. It is so obvious from your posts how much you loved him, and he you.