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….
A chance to win a knife crafted by the legendary Samurai sword masters? Yes!
Hi Nagi,
I like to fancy myself an above average home cook. I would rise up to the level of excellent home cook with this knife.
Can’t wait to try this chicken recipe. I like easy and tasty! This recipe covers both.
I just love all of your recipes and have tried many. I think I will try the chicken tonight.
I would love this knife. It is beautiful
The rice looks delicious as well. What exactly is in it?
I’d LOVE to win that knife! Also, thanks for all the amazing recipes! I’ve loved all the ones I’ve tried so far. I made the middle-eastern chickpea salad just last weekend and it was delicious! And thanks for the adorable photos of Dozer!
First, I love your photos of Dozer. Second, this chicken looks delicious… and there isn’t enough brown sugar in it to make it out of range for my Weight Watchers points! Win!! My brother and parents both have beautiful knife collections, and my parents have started me on mine in the past couple of years (a bit late in life, since I’m 55). Having this Japanese knife would make them SO envious! Besides, my husband was born in Japan and currently trains in Japanese swordsmanship, so it would be fun to have a beautiful chef’s knife from there! Please enter me in your drawing (and good luck to everyone)! Thanks Nagi!!
I almost lost a fingertip due to a dull knife. I’d be especially pleased to avoid that possibility again! Thanks for all the great recipes, and please enter me into the drawing for the knife.
I would love to win this knife! Thanks for the chance! crazy4bassets25@yahoo.com
Uh what? Oh! Sorry! I had to stop drooling with glazed eyes at the knife 🙂 !
The tips of my fingers would so very appreciate a truly sharp knife (yes, I’ve
cut one off with a dull blade, not something I usually talk about)
And thank you for all the tips and tricks Nagi, I learn something new every day
I read your recipes! The brown sugar in this chicken recipe may explain a delicious
salmon I eat out and can’t figure how they get the crust they do.
Thank you for all the fun Nagi!
Hi Nagi,
I would love to win. I sure could use a handcrafted Japanese piece of fine art. The rusty Stanley cross cut wood saw that I use now needs to go back to the wood shed.
Crossing my fingers!!
Tony
Found this recipe, and this giveaway, by chance so thought I’d try my luck winning the knife. It is beautiful and I want this knife.
OK! Who wouldn’t want a wonderful knife like that! Nagi I have enjoyed your cooking posts through the years and have turned on so many of my friends to them. I know I will likely not win that knife but I think it’s cool that you’re offering it. Thanks again for improving our culinary lives!
I would love to win this knife. My old knives are not so great☺
Hello Nagi, (cuddle to Dozer)
I would love the opportunity to win this fantastic giveaway.
My family grew up running restaurants when I was young and I totally agree, A sharp knife is the most important tool to any kitchen
Your giveaway is very practical and looks very slick.
Thank you for you recipes, videos, funny stories, dozer updates
Have a great day
Nikki
LOVE YOUR RECIPES…Thank you
Would love to own the knife…Keep up the great work.
How generous of you (and your mom)! I would absolutely love to win this knife. Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to have this knife! It would make my cooking experience much better!!
Ramona@RamonaCarpenter.com
I would love to have this knife for my kitchen!
beautiful knife, I would love to use it…
Wow, I would love to win such a beautiful knife! And can’t wait to try your brown sugar tip for chicken!
I would love to win this knife.
I love your recipes and the stories you weave into you blog. Thank you.
Would you enter me into the knife giveaway?