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….
Danielle says
I’d love to win this knife as I like to cook & a good knife is one of the most important tools in the kitchen.
Trudy Wilson says
Nadi you give us so much free stuff Tips, Recipes, pictures of Dozer, books, ideas, nutritional values, shortcuts, but most of all your time and your lovely web site, Am I giving you so many complements to help get the free Japanese knife ——- of course I am 😎. Seriously I love your recipes I have cooked so many of them and look forward to your weekly recipe
Leanne S says
I would love a knife!
Fiona Jones says
I’m a Nagi fan-girl & I would LOVE to have this knife!!! We lived in Tokyo when I was a teenager & my father, who was an excellent cook, had great Japanese knives. My sister claimed them when he passed away & they have been sorely missed. Thanks for this cool giveaway & all the fantastic recipes!
Kie Leeming says
Hi Nagi,
Fab recipe and I would also love the knife =)
Beverley Scott says
I have a favorite Japanese knife a friend from Korea gave to me 25 years ago, the brand is MAO, I could always use a new knife – who couldn’t? I love to cook (like you do), so value a good knife very much.
Pamela Williams says
Hi Nagi,
How generous of you to give away such an expensive knife. And how kind of your mom to bring it back for you! Oh how I would LOVE to have this knife. Hopefully I will win it and if not, hopefully I will win the lottery and buy one! Cooking has been my hobby for years and my hubby is happy because of it. I’m finding that my older recipes need to be kicked up a notch because we’re so used to tastier foods these days. I love your recipes because they are so full of flavor, yet simple. We seldom go out to eat at restaurants because the food is better at home, thanks to people who create and share their favorite recipes.
Thanks Nagi.
P.S. Your baby hands are cute!
Denise says
I love your recipes, I use them often for my family!! I would love this knife 😊
Dina Ward says
Would love to win the knife! Thanks for so many wonderful recipes~
Margaret Mary says
Hi Nagi – love your recipes! Keep em coming… I would truly enjoy owning a knife as beautiful and useful as this – my fingers are crossed…
Rebecca Sapsed says
What an amazing giveaway. I would love to win this knife as I could do with a really decent knife to have in my kitchen! I love all the recipes on your blog 😁
Becky Kingsley says
Ohhhh how I love a good knife. My husband likes to use mine for things other than cooking and I noticed my favorite one is bent at the end :\ Looks like I will keep a closer watch on him!
I love your recipes, and you have helped me venture into making Asian food at home. And Dozer is so cute!
Thank you!
Becky
Elena says
Nagi, I would love that beautiful knife!
If I have to tell you how much I love your recipes, let me just say that I have just finished eating your honey soy garlic chicken and was sitting down at my laptop with some dessert and thought I’d just check your latest recipe… and saw this! Pleeeeeeeeease pick me!
Susan Bedrick says
Love your recipes. You’ve become my ‘go to’ cookbook!
Bryn says
Of course I want this knife!!! What a fantastic giveaway. Thank you.
Denise says
I love to cook and would absolutely love this knife!!
Angie says
I love your blog, and I would love to win the knife.
Barbara Roy says
I’d love a great knife! My two kids, living 1000 mi apart, love to cook, and this knife will encourage them to visit and cook for me!! We love your cookbook!
Jeanette says
I too would love this knife.
Phanh says
Hi Nagi, this is would be amazing gift for my husband! He loves the craftmanship of knives and the history of them. We just came back from Japan last November and he actually bought one with his last name engraved on it at a shop in Kyoto. He’s been using it everyday and is in love with it. Thank you for the chance and thank you for always putting out great recipes and videos! I’ve made so many of your recipes already and they always turn out a hit!