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….
Hello Nagi
Wow it’s going to be difficult to compete with all those greats comments but I sure would love to win,
Love your recipes
Thank you
I really would like to have that knife❤❤
Wow, this sounds like a winner recipe. Thanks Nagi for such a great website. I referred my grandson to your website for recipes.
Would so love to win this knife. Hope I do.
All of your recipes are just fantastic! All go in my own recipe tin also… I sure do need a new knife! My only chef knife is now 29 years old and the handle is starting to disintegrate. Moreover, Ive never owned a really good knife. Please Please Please enter me in the giveaway!
Wow Nagi! That’s an incredible knife (and pretty too!). Hubby just looked at it & said “that’s the kind of knife you use, wash and put back in the box.”
I’d love to win this beauty to use in making all the wonderful recipes hubby & I have been enjoying from your website. Thanks for offering up to everyone..not just your local readers.
Sure, Nagi, we would love to have the knife. Please enter us!
Chicken breast recipe looks great. I would love a good, reliable & very lovely looking knife in my kitchen!!
I love your blog and recipes!
And I want to learn cutting techniques with this awesome Japanese knife which makes food taste different!
I loved your recipes. If I can’t find what to prepare, I always use your recipes. This chicken breast recipe will surely be a winner to my kids. I only cook on weekends.
I like to have that knife. I know that Japanese knives are really worked of art.
Nagi, I would LOVE to win the Japanese knife! My kitchen truly needs a knife like that. Of all the recipe gurus I follow, I make your recipes more than any other. Love your posts (and Dozer)!
Hi Nagi, I haven’t made the chicken yet but I made sure I saved it to pinterest . The knife looks so beautifully made.. it would be a dream to have that to use on veggies or any food that needed cutting. I imagine you could even slice something paper thin… Love your site! Have a good day!
Love Japanese blades-best ever! I don’t even need a translator for the sharpener, as my spouse is fluent.
I want that knife! What happened to the kale? Wasn’t there some mention of garlic butter kale, or was I hallucinating it?
Chicken looks excellent. Going to try tonight!! I would love to win the knife too!
So very nice of you to offer this handcrafted knife to your readers. I so enjoy each of your recipes and would also enjoy this special knife.
Keep your recipes coming…it makes my family happy. Thank you.
Love the recipe…I think I should win the knife giveaway because I’m probably your oldest reader and my birthday is coming up April 10 LOL!
I would love this knife. It’s absolutely beautiful and could do me some good in the kitchen.
I would love to experience owning a real knife. My knives require too much pressure to cut with and usually reward me with a cut finger.
Love the story about the Yakitori grill … sounds like something my mother would have done. I would love to win the knife, it’s beautiful and there is something empowering about being a woman with a sharp knife.
Nagi – I would love to win this knife. I love your recipes and flavor profile. I really enjoy reading your posts and making your recipes. Tysm