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….
One great knife does so much in the kitchen – I love watching the experts using their skills and wish so much to learn them. And to use a great knife with your recipes would be a dream come true 🙂
I’m buying a condo as a first time home-owner and I really need to upgrade the knives I currently own. This beautiful knife would be a great start. Thanks!
Yes, please! Would love to add this knife to my kitchen 🙂
I would love to own a knife like this. A good sharp knife in the kitchen is great asset.
If I don’t win that beautiful knife I will still follow your Cooking your recipes are easy to follow and favorites among my family household. It’s like traveling overseas to Japan and finding a beautiful garden outdoors to eat and enjoy the beauty of colors right on top of our plates.
I am in love with your website. My family and I have loved every recipe I’ve made from your site. I would love this gift so I can continue making all your wonderful recipes!
Hi
I have been 3 times to Japan, always trying to find the perfect knife for me.
Until I saw this one I love it. I’m obsessed now. looks awesone.
Hey Nagi,
I totally agree that the best utensil in the kitchen is a sharp knife. Couldn’t live without one.
This chicken recipe sounds so good I’m trying it tonight. Look forward to more delicious recipes.
My husband could really use this knife. He cooks for so many people almost every day. We really appreciate it and this would be a great way to show him. By the way, I can’t wait to make this chicken recipe for him.
I also had a yakitori grill which I loved. It was only 28 X 28 cm by 16 cm high but I had a lot of use out of it sitting around the living room coffee table. I have loved all of the recipes you have posted and look forward to many more. I have a couple of Japanese knives but would love to have this one. I attend cooking classes and know this would be invaluable, not to mention how jealous my instructor would be.
Thanks again for all the recipes.
Rob
Hi Nagy, I love your website and have made several of your recipes…successfully! My husband is really impressed. He thinks I’ve turned into a chef overnight. I would love to win the knife.
Would love to win this knife to give to my Japanese best friend from college. Her family welcomed me into their family as one of their own. Even though the parents are now gone, my friend of 58 years still prepares the most wonderful foods for me and shares recipes from her mother to this day. She cherishes her Japanese heritage and I would like to honor it and her family with this exquisite gift. Nola Duft
Nagi, I would be so honored to receive your knife to improve my cooking skills. Your blog is a joy to read and your recipes are beyond yummy!! I love your notes section, it makes it feel as if you were in my kitchen cooking with me. Thank you for the joy you bring to my kitchen!
This knife would make a wonderful addition to my kitchen. I love your recipes and the stories behind them.
I would love to win this knife!
I want this knife because I need a great knife in my kitchen now that I am on a weight loss and health seeking journey that has reignited my love of cooking healthy meals at home. I also enjoy sharpening knives by hand so I know it would be taken care of well in our home.
I am excited to try your recipe tonight!
Yes please, our kitchen can use a proper knife 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity (and for the recipe)
What a gorgeous knife!!! I’d love to win it – then I can give MY knife (a fabulous one made here in Nova Scotia by Grohmann) to my son who inherited my love of cooking. Also, this chicken recipe looks delicious. Cheers!
I’d really love to win the knife. I’ve never had a truly great knife. I’ve been using the same wood bloke knife set for t least 30 years and I’ve never been good trying to sharpen the knives. So I’m pretty frustrated when I have a lot of chopping to do. Please help me. I’ve just hand wrote your chicken breast recipe because it looks great. I had to hand write it because my printer is out of ink. But I had to write it because I’m anxious to try this recipe.
Hi Nagi,
Thanks so much for all of the great recipes that are simple and delicious. AND thanks so much for all of the great details and stories that you share along the way! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Your blog has definitely made a difference in this US household! Having moved back to the States after living in Japan for 10 years, I’m totally with you on how great Japanese knives (and really anything food related) are. Would love to be able to use this knife for my own family and hope that you and yours stay healthy and happy!