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….
Just discovered you recently, and have made almost all of your recipes – Meatloaf tonight!!! So much fun to see what great recipe you are going to share next! Would love to win that beautiful knife – you are so right – the best knife in the kitchen is the sharpest!!!
Love many of your recipes and would really love this wonderful knife,
I would like to have a Japanese precision knife
Hi Nagi, i might be the new owner of That knife!😍😍😍..i will try my luck!😜..
Jemaymaalcaraz@hotmail.com
Your recipes always the best! Xxx
Dear Nagi, I would love to win this knife. Good knives are essential in the kitchen . Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi Nagi,
Thanks so much for sharing your recipes, tried and loved almost all of them.
Dying to have that knife, please include me in the giveaway raffle.
Take care…
Hi Nagi!
Big fan from New Zealand and have made many of your dishes to impress the wife and kids! Favourite all time will have to be the salted caramel brownie! Would love to win this knife to help in the kitchen! Thanks in advance! And please keep the recipes coming!
I love your recipes and this chicken dish will be the star of our dinner this evening! My guests will truly enjoy it! I do a great deal of cooking for family and friends and often volunteer my services as a chef for gatherings and our annual pow wow. It would be wonderful and an honor to have such a beautiful knife to work with! I hope you choose the best person to receive such a special gift! Thank you and keep the wonderful recipes coming our way! Vicki
Please, oh please, let me win this knife! By the way, love, love, love your recipes!
I would love to win this knife! What an awesome giveaway. Thanks for doing it!!
I want to win this knife! I want to try this chicken recipe!
Hi Nagi.
Please enter my name in your competition.
The first thing I look forward to when I open me emails is seeing one of your recipes.
Regards
Bill
I would love to win this knife because I am getting into semi-professional cooking and a good instrument, such as a quality knife, is akin a great pair of running shoes for a marathon runner. And I don’t think one can find that kind of knife here in Ukraine…
A practical piece of art! It would be a pleasure to use this knife. Count me in! Thank for the brown sugar tip! And I appreciate and use your cookbook downloads.
Nagi,
I love you, your recipes, and your blog. I would also love this Japanese knife! I bought a full set of “fancy” knives about 17 years ago when I first got married… one of those As-seen-on-TV things. They sit on my counter top in a butcher block. Everyone comments, “Gosh, do you have enough knives?” There is a cleaver, a chopper, a fillet-er…. just about every knife you can imagine. You know what? THEY ARE ALL TERRIBLE. I could chop my pinkie off with any of them because they are all so dull and rediculous, and now, the ONE knife that I actually use is rusting at the pin and will soon die. I would love one beautiful, fancy, fabulous knife that really works wonderful and that I can love with all my heart. I hope I win this.
Even if I don’t, your blog is my favorite favorite favorite of all food blogs. Please keep them coming. Recipes NEVER disappoint and I just love reading your little experiences.
Love from the Midwest USA
I want this knife!
Great looking knife. I would love to add this knife to my collection. It would easily be my go to knife.
I am the main cook in the family and this knife would be awesome to show off at family gatherings. I would like this knife, also Brown sugar in seasonings is a great idea.
Love your recipes. The recent Thai curry was a big hit with my husband and son. I also oten make chicken breast in the morning for a healthy and tasty lunch and this recipe looks like a winner. Will definitely try. Would love the opportunity to win this beautiful knife. It will definitely take my cooking and my kitchen to a whole new level.
Hi Nagi,
I have a rub that’s similar to your rub, but I will definitely try yours. I’m always looking for a better knife to use and the one you are offering is beautiful and obviously well crafted. If I am lucky enough to win it, I will definitely put it to good use. Thanks for offering it!