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….
Nikki Cook says
I love your recipes and the stories you weave into you blog. Thank you.
Would you enter me into the knife giveaway?
Kathy says
I would love to have this knife, and I will definitely be making this chicken recipe. Thank you so much!!!
Jenine says
Hi Nagi and Dozer😊 love your recipes. Just made your Sukiyaki yesterday. I would have loved to have this knife, mine kept slipping while I cut my Chinese broccoli (all I could find). I would love to win this knife!!! You really do have the best blog. Thank you for your consideration.
brockjenine28@gmail.com
Heidi says
So awesome! I cant believe how sharp it is that video is amazing! I’d love a knife as fancy as that! Thanks for all your amazing recipes, I pretty much love them all!!
Jane Four says
You’re quite right! The one best tool you really need in the kitchen is a great knife. I was given a knife when I married 38 yrs ago, but this knife is falling apart from the knife handle. Please, please, please… I desperately need another good knife.
Keep those wonderful, amazing recipes going, Nagi. I love trying them out, and they are all delish!
Christine K. says
Hi Nagi! That knife looks amazing! I totally want to win this knife!!! I put my email in the email field when I posted this comment. I’ll get your response if you post one. Hope that works.
Thanks for putting together an awesome giveaway. Absolutely LOVE your recipes!
Lakmindi Gunatilake says
Hi.. Nagi,
Thanx for ur lovely recipes.. pluse.. i esp look forward for the updates of dozer.. my little one love Dozer so… much.Ur recipes r so… practicle & delicious..
I would love to win this knife..( keep my fingers crossed). Anyways love ur recipes & look forward for them always.!!!
paula says
This knife looks wonderful, I would love to win it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Margaret Moore says
Oh by do I want this knife. Fabulous.
kate Lindberg says
Hi Nagi
I would be so happy if I win this fantastic knife, my old knife is so dull, that it could not even make the smallest scratch in the butter 🙂
Rolando Cruz says
Hi Nagi.
Thanks for great recipes, really enjoy it.
But the knife looks fabulous, hopefully I’ll be the lucky one.
Laverne Ingham says
Ok like everyone else…….I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS KNIFE. I never seem to have a decent knife to use in my kitchen. I haven’t lost any digits as yet, but have had some really bad cuts because of improper knife use. I know that I live sooo far away but it would be neat if this knife came all the way to the island of Bermuda………Bermuda huh, where is that place?
Jennie Peterson says
I would love this beautiful knife!
Georgeen says
I have been so glad that I found your site!!! Due to family medical reasons, I am cooking a lot more at home–I have to adjust your recipes a bit to decrease salt, but your seasonings are wonderful and I have enjoyed your three cookbooks.
I look forward to your emails and this chicken looks like it will be a dish this week!
Thanks for all the enjoyment I get from your postings!
Jakob Joachim says
I would love to win this knife, I started cooking early in life and could really use a good knife now that I live alone.
Lori says
This looks like a fine knife–I agree that a great knife is key in the kitchen!
Stefan Pesula says
My 61:th birtday is on the 22:nd of March ! !
Would be a nice surprise and a lifetime memory of Nagi Recepies if I am lycky enough to be a winner of the beautiful Chefs knife.
Rod Bauer says
I do most of the cooking for my wife and her 91 year old mother. Nothing real fancy but I love exploring new cuisines and types of food. My knives are nothing close to the beautiful knife you’re giving away. I would have fun with it to say the least. {lease consider this as my entry.
Suzy Badger says
as a jewelry metalsmith owning a handmade knife would be a dream come true; I KNOW how much work goes into crafting and fabricating metal-works; especially something as precise as knife blades and wow; what a beautiful handle!
And, to be able to re-create your recipes with a knife from you would be a added treat!
Barbara Rines says
My husband always kept my (mediocre) knives sharpened for me and I really miss that. This is a lovely piece and I would love to have it in my kitchen.