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….
Your recipes are delicious. Getting that knife would be great.
Hi Nagi,
I love your recipes and have tried several. I’m looking forward to cooking these delicious-looking chicken breasts. I think the most important tool in the kitchen is a sharp knife and I would love to win yours!
Would love the knife. Would round out my collection nicely. Good knives are imperative.
Hello!
As always you amaze me, you are one of the Chef that I never get tired of looking forward to read my new food adventure.
But I would love to have that knife, because of the History behinds it. I am far won’t be able to get it.
I would love the knife. And thanks for the recipe!
Hi Nagi,
Chicken is big in my house- always looking for new recipes. I would love to win this knife!. Please enter me in your give away.
Thanks!
Hello from Alberta, Canada! My family loves that I found your website! The benefits at supper time brings smiles and “Mmmmmms” every time. I love the practicality of your recipes – I usually have every ingredient in the pantry. Gourmet flavor without having to run to the store!
And a beautiful Japanese sharp knife?? Oh yes please! That’s sometime I don’t have in my kitchen…yet!
Keep the delicious recipes coming! 🙂
Mitzi
Flossieann@me.com
This knife looks amazing. I don’t have any good knives because they’re so expensive! Would love to have such a high quality utensil! I cook every day so this would really help get the job done.
WOW that would be fantastic to have a quality knife such as this to use as my go to cutter and slicer …
It looks like one I would be proud to display front and center… Thank you for the opportunity to qualify for such a one. .. willy
Your chicken recipe looks delicious, would you consider posting the rice dish you are serving the chicken with? The entire meal looks fantastic. I just love your recipes. I follow a low FODMAP diet and find your recipes easy to modify to fit my dietary restrictions. Thank you again for another scrumptious post.
I would love a chance to win your exquisite knife.
I would love to have an exception knife. I can’t afford really expensive knives but I love to cook. the ability too prep things with ease would be a dream fulfilled. Your recipes are excellent and I can’t wait to try this one
I would really love to win the knifes. Thanks so much for all of your recipes!
Oh yes … I would live this knife.
Lol
Many years ago in.my youth i was a.mwat cutter
So understand the. Importance of a sharp.good quality blade
i love all your recipes and having that awesome knife would make cooking even more fun!! i would loooove to win the knife, thanks for the giveaway!
This knife would be a wonderful tool to my passion for cooking great food.
A Japanese knife is like Japanese culture, beautifully hand crafted, well balanced, made with respect and dedication, years of sweat and tears to achieve that perfection, every home chefs dream, but for most, it remains a dream.
Hi Nagi,
Thanks for the opportunity to win the knife.
We’re from Sydney and relocated to another country about 4 yrs ago for work purpose.
I am still in the process of setting up my new kitchen and I would love to own one of these gorgeous knives.
I have tried many of your recipes with great outcomes. My family loves them! In fact my daughter keeps telling me I should open a restaurant (haha..), but she didnt know those are your recipes!
Huge thanks for developing and sharing your yummy recipes, for making me look like a great cook at home, and sharing gorgeous pics of Dozer.
Xx Angie
I would love to win this knife. My sister in law got one for Christmas from her hubby.
I got to use it while visiting them…amazing!!
Please enter me in the drawing!
Thanks for all the amazing recipes!
Truly beautiful workmanship. I would absolutely love to be the proud owner of such a knife. Would compliment all those yummy recipes.
Merle Germain
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
I agree that good quality sharp knives make all the difference in the kitchen. I would love to win the knife. My dream is to go to Japan one day. It’s been on my bucket list for a while.