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….
I would love to win this beautiful knife for my son. He is the one who loves to try cooking a wide variety of foods. He also knows the importance of a really great knife. He gets the best he can afford but this one would be a real prize.
Please post pics of Dozer when he finally decides to try the outfit. I’m sure he’ll look quite handsome.
Dear Nagi,
I would love to win that knife. I love your recipes, I always prepare them as they are easy to follow.I would lie to try this recipe today as our dinner menu.
Thanks and more power!
I would love to win that knife! Thank you for the opportunity, and congratulations to whoever wins even if it’s not me.
Merry
merrynriley518@gmail.com
I would love to win that knife! It would be the showcase of my kitchen (aside from my cooking!). I would also like to win Dozer, but I understand if I cannot since I’m sure you love him very much. I love your recipes and pictures.
Beautiful knife! I would love to have it! It’s so important to have a sharp knife in the kitchen.
Nagi,
I would love to get this knife! All mine are very old and wearing out!
This chicken recipe looks yummy AND so does the rice/almonds. Do you have a recipe for that too? Is that spinach in it? Looks SO good. :>)
Keep on showing us all our expertise in the kitchen!
a (hopeful) good cook in training,
Susan :>)
I would love to win a Japanese knife! Cooking is something I share with my kids, one of whom is thinking about becoming a chef. Your great recipes have given us new dishes to eat healthy foods at home, even on busy weeknights. Thank you!
Hey Nagi! Thanks for the good looking recipe, I’ll be trying it very soon, probably Thursday this week! I’d love to win the knife! Love your emails and love lots of your recipes! Thanks so much and keep them coming!
Thank you for a chicken breast recipe. Looks delicious. I would love to have a nice sharp knife!!
I’ve cut myself quite a few times due to bad knives, and this just looks perfect and life changing.
i would love this knife for my son, who is a fabulous cook. thank you for all your recipes. i’ve tried many, with much tasty success!!
I would like to win the knife because I have never had such a wonderful thing as an excellent knife. I have always had walmart specials which work fine for 6months or so and I have learned how to sharpen them correctly as a result. Ah, but the joy of a well balanced, easy to hold, forged knife for chopping, slicing, and dicing a variety of foods. Something a chopped-wanna-be home cook only dreams of. Dreaming is free. Children’s shoes and classes are not.
Hello from Vancouver! Nagi, really, who wouldn’t want such a beautiful knife to show off in their kitchen?
I’d love to own one but never seem to have the money to splurge.
Thank you for your great recipes. I eat Keto and can’t try them all, but those I can, including this one, fast
become favourites.
I love your blog and Instagram feed. Your recipes are easy to follow and taste delicious. I would love to win the knife if this giveaway.
I’d love to win this Japanese knife. My daughter brought a Japanese steak knife a few years ago..my husband loves it but i love it more. It keeps its sharpness all these uses and years..hence, another one would be lovely.
HI NAGI! I WANT THAT KNIFE! IT LOOKS FANTASTIC.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN IT SAYS MY COMMENT IS AWAITING MODERATION?
I REALLY DO ENJOY YOUR WEBSITE RECIPE TIN EATS
Nagi, love your recipes! Please enter me in the contest for the knife. Thanks!
Hi Nagi,
thank you for the delicious recipes. And wow do I want this knife. It looks amazing, and a great tool for the kitchen.
I would love to have a nice sharp knife. I can really appreciate a fine knife as I have learned from cooking more. Love the recipes.
Alan
Thank you for this very kind gesture, particularly to anyone no matter where in the world.
I live in Scotland and collect all of your wonderful recipes and passing them on to my family and friends.
Please enter me into your draw.
Catherine