Baked Chicken Breast

Tender, juicy Baked Chicken Breasts are a delicious dinner recipe that’s healthy! These are so easy to make with the perfect amount of seasoning on them. Season, bake and enjoy. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner or perfect to meal prep with!

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I’m showing you the best way to cook chicken breasts in the oven! This is my go-to simple recipe for easy dinners. You don’t need any special equipment or ingredients and the recipe steps are super easy.

When I first started cooking I didn’t like baking chicken because it always came out dry, and not juicy and delicious. I’ve learned a few things since those early cooking days and I can honestly say I’ve mastered the perfect baked boneless chicken breast!

I can’t wait for you to try this recipe – you are going to love it, too! You can make this for dinner and then serve with a side dish like roasted vegetables or glazed carrots. It’s also great served with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta like Parmesan orzo or garlic butter noodles.

Why You’ll Love this Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

• This is a really simple recipe that uses all pantry ingredients except for the chicken. Even though it’s simple, it’s delicious! It has just the right amount of seasoning and the meat is always tender and juicy.

• Oven baked chicken breast is great for meal prep. Sometimes I bake a batch on Sunday and keep them in the fridge for easy meals during the week. You can slice them up for salads, tacos, and sandwiches.

• We all need an easy baked chicken recipe that works every time – well, this one is it for me. It’s a staple recipe that can be used so many different ways.

Ingredients for Baked Chicken Breast

• Boneless skinless chicken breast – You will need about two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The only thing you need to do to prep them is to pound them out to an even thickness.
• Olive oil – You’ll also need a bit of olive oil so that the seasoning sticks to the easy baked chicken breast.
• This recipe is all about the seasoning rub! The combo of flavors is perfect and it gives the meat a nice color, too. The spice rub also helps create a delicious crust for the chicken as it bakes. Here’s the spices I use:
  • chili powder
  • smoked paprika (or regular paprika if that’s what you have!)
  • black pepper
  • sea salt
  • onion powder
  • garlic powder

How to Make Baked Chicken Breast

1. First, mix up your seasoning rub in a small bowl.
2. Take the chicken out of the package and lay them out on a cutting board. Use the meat mallet to pound them. You don’t need them super thin, you just want each piece to be the same thickness as the others.
3. Brush both sides of the chicken with oil and then place them in the baking dish.
4. Sprinkle the seasoning so it coats the top. Turn them over and sprinkle the rest on the other side.
5. Bake the chicken at 450°F for 15 to 18 minutes. The easiest way to know when it’s done is to use a thermometer to check the temperature. It should read 165°F in the thickest part.
   
   You can also check for doneness buy slicing into the center of the thickest part. It should be cooked through and the juices should run clear.
6. Take the chicken out of the oven and tent the baking dish with tin foil. This will trap the heat and keep the moisture in the pan so the meat doesn’t dry out as it rests.
7. Rest it for five to ten minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat so it’s nice and juicy when you slice it.

How long does baked chicken breast keep?

Cooked chicken will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. I recommend keeping the breasts whole when you chill them and only slicing off what you need. They won’t dry out as much this way.

Store leftover baked chicken in a shallow airtight container. If you’d like to freeze leftover chicken breast store it in an airtight freezer container or freezer bags with as much air squeezed out as possible. Store it for up to three months in the freezer.

What is the best temperature for baking chicken breast?

The best temperature to bake chicken breasts is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking chicken at a high temperature seals in the juices and caramelizes the chicken breast.

How long does it take to bake chicken breast at 400?

It will take more time – about 20 to 25 minutes. I like to cook it at 450 because it’s faster and you also get a really nice crust on top from the higher heat.

How do you bake chicken breast without drying it out?

The best tip is to not overcook it. As soon as the internal temperature is 165°F the chicken is done. Cooking it for less time at a higher heat helps, too.

Do you cover chicken breasts when baking?

For my recipe, you don’t need to. I prefer to bake it uncovered so you get a crust on top. If you cover it, the trapped moisture will keep that from happening.

Can you use boneless, skinless thighs instead?

Yes, but they probably need less baking time if they are smaller. Prep them the same way and cook them until they are 165°F.

What other ways can you cook chicken breasts?

I have a similar recipe you can make in an air fryer. You can also cook chicken in your crock pot or Instant Pot, too!

What to Serve With Juicy Baked Chicken Breast

Looking for some amazing side dishes to go with your delicious main course? Then check out some of our favorites that we love to make:

• Crock Pot Green Beans with Bacon is a super simple side that would go great with your baked chicken breasts!
• For a classic comfort food dinner, pair them with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes.
• Use your air fryer to make the best Baked Sweet Potatoes!
• Or pair it with a cold salad like Couscous Salad with Vegetables or Broccoli Salad.

Give this juicy oven baked chicken breast recipe a try and you won’t need to look for another one! You will love how juicy, tender, and flavorful it is. Plus, it goes with so many side dishes!

More Recipes You’ll Love!

• Irish Trashcan Ingredients
• Easy Dip to Make for Chips
• Veggie Casserole Side Dish
• Ranch Vegetable Dip
• Frosting That Hardens on Cookies
• Cook Chicken and Rice in Instant Pot
• Baked Chicken Parmesan

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

5 from 11 votes

Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Tender, juicy baked chicken breasts that are perfectly seasoned!

Prep:10 minutes mins

Cook:18 minutes mins

Resting Time:10 minutes mins

Total:38 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to evenly thickness (about 2 lb)
• ▢ 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 tsp finely ground sea salt
• ▢ ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ ¼ tsp chili powder
• ▢ 1 tsp onion powder

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Brush both sides with olive oil.
• In a small bowl combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder and onion powder together. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken on both sides.
• Place the baking dish in a preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. The thickest part of the breast should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Remove chicken from the oven, loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
• Serve immediately after the chicken has rested.

Tips

How long does it take to bake chicken breast at 400?

It will take more time – about 20 to 25 minutes. I like to cook it at 450 because it’s faster and you also get a really nice crust on top from the higher heat.

How do you keep it moist when baking?

The best tip is to not overcook it. As soon as the internal temperature is 165°F the chicken is done. Cooking it for less time at a higher heat helps, too.

Should you cover it when baking in the oven?

For my recipe, you don’t need to. I prefer to bake it uncovered so you get a crust on top. If you cover it, the trapped moisture will keep that from happening.

How long does it keep?

Cooked chicken will keep for three to four days in the refrigerator. I recommend keeping the breasts whole when you chill them and only slicing off what you need. They won’t dry out as much this way.

Can you use boneless, skinless thighs instead?

Yes, but they probably need less baking time if they are smaller. Prep them the same way and cook them until they are 165°F.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 83kcal (4%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 12g (24%), Fat: 3g (5%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 36mg (12%), Sodium: 358mg (16%), Potassium: 223mg (6%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 159IU (3%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 5mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.