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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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….
Hi Nagi,
I would love to win. I sure could use a handcrafted Japanese piece of fine art. The rusty Stanley cross cut wood saw that I use now needs to go back to the wood shed.
Crossing my fingers!!
Tony
Found this recipe, and this giveaway, by chance so thought I’d try my luck winning the knife. It is beautiful and I want this knife.
OK! Who wouldn’t want a wonderful knife like that! Nagi I have enjoyed your cooking posts through the years and have turned on so many of my friends to them. I know I will likely not win that knife but I think it’s cool that you’re offering it. Thanks again for improving our culinary lives!
I would love to win this knife. My old knives are not so great☺
Hello Nagi, (cuddle to Dozer)
I would love the opportunity to win this fantastic giveaway.
My family grew up running restaurants when I was young and I totally agree, A sharp knife is the most important tool to any kitchen
Your giveaway is very practical and looks very slick.
Thank you for you recipes, videos, funny stories, dozer updates
Have a great day
Nikki
LOVE YOUR RECIPES…Thank you
Would love to own the knife…Keep up the great work.
How generous of you (and your mom)! I would absolutely love to win this knife. Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to have this knife! It would make my cooking experience much better!!
Ramona@RamonaCarpenter.com
I would love to have this knife for my kitchen!
beautiful knife, I would love to use it…
Wow, I would love to win such a beautiful knife! And can’t wait to try your brown sugar tip for chicken!
I would love to win this knife.
I love your recipes and the stories you weave into you blog. Thank you.
Would you enter me into the knife giveaway?
I would love to have this knife, and I will definitely be making this chicken recipe. Thank you so much!!!
Hi Nagi and Dozer😊 love your recipes. Just made your Sukiyaki yesterday. I would have loved to have this knife, mine kept slipping while I cut my Chinese broccoli (all I could find). I would love to win this knife!!! You really do have the best blog. Thank you for your consideration.
brockjenine28@gmail.com
So awesome! I cant believe how sharp it is that video is amazing! I’d love a knife as fancy as that! Thanks for all your amazing recipes, I pretty much love them all!!
You’re quite right! The one best tool you really need in the kitchen is a great knife. I was given a knife when I married 38 yrs ago, but this knife is falling apart from the knife handle. Please, please, please… I desperately need another good knife.
Keep those wonderful, amazing recipes going, Nagi. I love trying them out, and they are all delish!
Hi Nagi! That knife looks amazing! I totally want to win this knife!!! I put my email in the email field when I posted this comment. I’ll get your response if you post one. Hope that works.
Thanks for putting together an awesome giveaway. Absolutely LOVE your recipes!
Hi.. Nagi,
Thanx for ur lovely recipes.. pluse.. i esp look forward for the updates of dozer.. my little one love Dozer so… much.Ur recipes r so… practicle & delicious..
I would love to win this knife..( keep my fingers crossed). Anyways love ur recipes & look forward for them always.!!!
This knife looks wonderful, I would love to win it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Oh by do I want this knife. Fabulous.