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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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….
Hi Nagi, I have been following you for 18 months now. Your 2 cook books are more than a collection of great recipes….they are also beautiful books you can browse with a cup of coffee. I love reading your stories, your tips and, of course, all about you beautiful Dozer. He lived such a full and happy life with you. Cherish your memories as you continue to grieve your loss.
Thank you for bringing the joy of cooking back to this grandma! xxx
Nagi, I get recipes online all the time and I never leave a comment – whether it turns out good or bad. However, I had to make sure I left a comment to say that this was the best freaking oven baked chicken breast that I’ve ever had!!! So juicy and tender. And the seasoning is spot on. I cooked garlic mashed potatoes and fried cabbage with it. Sure perfection! Thank you so much for sharing.
I am so sorry about Dozer. xoxo
Made this for father’s day supper. It was delicious and so easy! It’s a keeper!
Have made this recipe twice and we loved it both times. The second time I added a little cayenne pepper for some kick.
my go to chicken recipe! have made 5+ times and its yummy every time. comes together so fast and easy which is great after a long day of school. i like to throw in a tray of veggies in the oven as well so dinner will be ready by the time the kitchen is cleaned up. leftovers keep well in the fridge and are great in a sandwich! you did your big one on this!
Best chicken breast to ever come out of my oven! I’ve been cooking it too low and long until now. Seasoning was perfect and held the moisture in. Brown sugar caramelized well without adding too much sweetness – Perfect balance with other spices. New go-to, family loved it 🙂 Thank you!
Without a doubt the best chicken breast recipe I have ever made. Nagi you outdid yourself on this one. Also pounding the breasts was so therapeutic can’t wait to do that again. Seriously though the seasoning was so good never thought to include brown sugar before. Served with rice and black beans and roasted cauliflower and broccoli. Big, big hit with my family. Love all your recipes and keep them coming.
Looking forward to cooking your recipes
Quick, easy, fresh, delicious, perfect!
Amazing! My fam’s eyes popped when they took their first bites. Definitely making again. Easy and quick, too!
it really was delicious. very juicy and yummy
I am so sad over Dozer, I have been following him for years.
My husband has a Guide Dog much the same traits as Dozer
Again so sorry, beautiful Dozer
Hello, I came here for your recipe, and writing here to express my most deepest sympathies on the loss of your beautiful dog Dozer. I am so terribly sorry. This a pain I wish on no-one. I’m hoping your great memories and passage of time has alleviated some of your pain. Be well.
I love your food and your dog
A delicious recipe, moist, easy to cook and store cupboard ingredients. Family loved it, so it’s another winner. Thank you Nagi 🥰
I skipped the brown sugar as my mum is on a diet, but even without it they turned out great and full of flavour!
I made this today! It was so good!
I am sorry for your loss. It’s so hard when our four legged friends leave. I lost mine going on two years, and I still look for her around the house. I hope it helps you to know that the pain lessens, yet the great memories bloom.
Nagi, I so enjoy your website and have used many of your recipes. However this comment is about your beautiful dog, Dozier. He was an absolutely gorgeous pup and it was so obvious how much you loved him. Dozier lived a blessed, charmed life. Please accept my deepest condolences on his passing.
Deborah D, North Carolina USA
Amazingly delicious and simple