Here’s my favorite recipe for oven-baked chicken breasts! It’s so simple, foolproof, and always delivers juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned chicken breast. Baked to golden perfection, it’s quick, delicious, and packed with flavor. Everyone who tries it loves how easy and tasty this dish is, no wonder why this has become my go to recipe for weeknight dinner!
I’ve always been a fan of rich, flavorful red meat, but let’s be real, chicken breasts are a go-to in my kitchen every single week. They’re quick, easy, and versatile. But here’s the thing: baking chicken breasts can be tricky. If you just toss them in the oven without any love (aka seasoning), you’ll likely end up with dry, bland chicken that no one wants to eat.
But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be that way! Let me share my foolproof trick for juicy, flavorful chicken breasts that you’ll actually get excited about. Here’s how I do it, I coat the chicken breasts generously with the seasoning, and bake them for the perfect amount of time.
I know chicken breasts have a bad reputation for being boring. But not this recipe! These come out perfectly juicy, bursting with flavor, and honestly, they’re so good you can enjoy them just as they are.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Baked Chicken Breast
- Quick and Simple: With just a few ingredients and a little prep, you’ll have juicy baked chicken ready in under 30 minutes.
- Healthy and Tasty: Made with extra virgin olive oil and spices, it’s packed with protein, low in fat, and perfect for a healthy diet.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make extra to enjoy in salads, wraps, sandwiches, or pasta. It reheats well without getting dry.
- Always a Hit: Whether it’s for family, guests, or just you, this recipe never disappoints.
🧾Baked Chicken Breast Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this baked chicken breast recipe:
- Chicken Breasts: For this recipe, I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They’re lean and take on the flavors of the seasonings perfectly. When cooked right, they’re tender and juicy. You can also use frozen chicken if that’s what you have on hand.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I love using extra virgin olive oil to keep the chicken moist and add a light fruity flavor. It helps the seasonings stick, too.
- Seasoning: I go with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Salt enhances the chicken’s natural flavor, and black pepper adds a mild spice. Garlic powder gives a warm, savory taste that’s evenly spread on the chicken, and smoked paprika adds a smoky sweetness and a nice golden-red color.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Baked Chicken Breast
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Gently pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and place in a bowl, drizzle olive oil over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
2. Gently rub it all in to coat the chicken evenly.
3. Place the chicken breasts on the baking tray, pop it into a preheated oven at 425°F (or 200°C fan), and bake for about 18 minutes.
4. Let the baked chicken breast rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
🍽 What to Serve with Baked Chicken Breast
This Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast is one of the easiest recipes you’ll make!
Serve it with warm, crusty Garlic Bread or Ciabatta to soak up the juices, it’s a perfect touch. If you’re craving potatoes, try creamy Potato Salad, Crispy Wedges, Smashed Potatoes, or fluffy Bubble Potato Pillows.
For something fresh, go for Avocado Pear Salad, Marinated Tomatoes, or Pasta Salad.
And for dessert, a sweet Lemon Mousse or Lemon Posset is the perfect way to end the meal!
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Pick Even-Sized Chicken Breasts: For even cooking, try to use chicken breasts that are the same size. If they’re uneven, gently pound the thicker parts to even them out.
Dry the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the seasoning stick and gives you a crispy, golden crust.
Let It Rest: After baking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices settle, keeping the chicken juicy and tender when you slice it.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give each chicken breast some space on the baking sheet. If they’re too close together, they might steam instead of roast, which can affect flavor and texture.
Storage: Store leftover baked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
🐓More Chicken Recipes to Try!
If you love using chicken when you are cooking, then check out the following recipes for inspiration:
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Bites
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Baked Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Place the chicken in a bowl.
- Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle on salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Rub the seasoning evenly into the meat.
- Place the chicken on the baking tray.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F/220°C (200°C fan) for 18 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Slice the chicken breasts and serve with salad or your favorite sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This recipe is incredibly easy to follow and the chicken breast turned out juicy and flavorful. Perfect for a weeknight meal!