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….
Susan Cole says
Nagi, I would LOVE to win the Japanese knife! My kitchen truly needs a knife like that. Of all the recipe gurus I follow, I make your recipes more than any other. Love your posts (and Dozer)!
Penny Cook says
Hi Nagi, I haven’t made the chicken yet but I made sure I saved it to pinterest . The knife looks so beautifully made.. it would be a dream to have that to use on veggies or any food that needed cutting. I imagine you could even slice something paper thin… Love your site! Have a good day!
Diana Redwine says
Love Japanese blades-best ever! I don’t even need a translator for the sharpener, as my spouse is fluent.
Wolf says
I want that knife! What happened to the kale? Wasn’t there some mention of garlic butter kale, or was I hallucinating it?
Melissa McDonald says
Chicken looks excellent. Going to try tonight!! I would love to win the knife too!
Diana says
So very nice of you to offer this handcrafted knife to your readers. I so enjoy each of your recipes and would also enjoy this special knife.
Keep your recipes coming…it makes my family happy. Thank you.
Lyn says
Love the recipe…I think I should win the knife giveaway because I’m probably your oldest reader and my birthday is coming up April 10 LOL!
Alex says
I would love this knife. It’s absolutely beautiful and could do me some good in the kitchen.
David Dillard says
I would love to experience owning a real knife. My knives require too much pressure to cut with and usually reward me with a cut finger.
Stephanie Rooney says
Love the story about the Yakitori grill … sounds like something my mother would have done. I would love to win the knife, it’s beautiful and there is something empowering about being a woman with a sharp knife.
Barbara says
Nagi – I would love to win this knife. I love your recipes and flavor profile. I really enjoy reading your posts and making your recipes. Tysm
Steven Douglass says
Even if it weren’t for this knife, I would come back to your website over and over and over. I just love your take on food and I have learned so many options I had not thought of myself. At the same time I am a utensil geek too and I have never used a knife that sharp.
Steven Douglass says
I sid not see the eval stars until after I hit the Post button. I will go get a breast out of the freezer and make your recipe with the sugar. I am sure it will be excellent.
Martin says
God knows I’ve dried many a chicken breast in the oven so this looks like a good relief plan.
I’ve had the same chef knife for 25 years which I find I have to sharpen more and more — and yes, it has slipped on me (hope no one tasted that fingernail in their salad — 🙂 ) — this knife looks gorgeous ! What a tool! Want!
Dragana M. says
I’m learning my way around the kitchen, people say I’m a natural, so I would want this beautiful knife to help me cut perfect schnitzels of that gorgeous chicken breast 🙂
Michelle says
The knife is an absolute work of art and is simply beautiful to look at. The precision is clear and would lend beauty and elegance to any dish…even a grilled cheese sarmie😂😂😂. I would be honoured to have this knife in my collection💕💕
Debra Kepley says
I would love to win that knive! Such a beautiful piece!
Emi Takahashi says
Hi Nagi,
I agree Japanese knives are the best. I’d love to win this knife. Thank you for doing this giveaway and for your delicious recipes 😊
Kat Vanderborgt says
Would love the knife, love the recipes. Keep them coming!
Crystal Eichler says
So excited to try this chicken tonight! Thank you for the chance to win this Japanese knife! My kitchen is in desperate need of knife that works. Will make all the chopping for my family so much easier!
Elma says
I want to win this knife!