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….
This is one recipe I will be making this week – looks amazing!!!
I’d love to win this knife so I can give it to my mom to replace one that was stolen from her (wedding gift too!!!). I’m working a few jobs and don’t have a lot, so it would be nice to really be able to give her something special.
OMG what a gorgeous knife! I would love to have this knife in my kitchen! And the chicken is on my list to make!
THAT KNIFE LOOKS AMAZING, AND WOULD BE QUITE WELCOME IN MY KITCHEN! I ALSO MADE YOUR CHICKEN BREAST RECIPE, AND IT WAS VERY TASTY!
Thank you for the chance to win this knife. What a wonderful addition to any kitchen. Pick me, pick me, pick me. LOL
I totally want this knife!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing all your delicious recipes! 🙌🏽
I would love this knife and looking forward to trying this recipe as we are trying to eat healthier!
Hi chick i couldn’t even win a lucky bag if it was free!
I’ll pay for postage too.
Thank you for the chance to win something.
Ps;love your recipes
I’d love to own this beautiful knife!
I want this knife for my husband. He has one that is pretty good, but he’s always wanted one of superior quality. $500 is a little out of our price range.
I’d love to win this knife! What a coincidence that I was just thinking that I should buy a new one. Then it came your newsletter. 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
This knife would make my life a lot easier, something that sharp is so easy to work with. I would treat it with the upmost respect and cherish it always.
Your recipes are awesome and Dozer is a real Prince, I love opening my email and seeing one from you, your Witt and your charm make my day.
Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your great recipes.
PLZ GIVE ME THE KNIFE.
🙂 xo
Since you would have to be a FOOL not to want that fabulous Knife I am asking to be entered into your giveaway. And I am taking the opportunity to say that last night I made Magic Broccoli! Wow how right you were. I had to stop myself from eating the whole thing!
Gorgeous knife that would be a much appreciated addition to my kitchen.
Just made the chicken, love the spice mixture. The chicken was tender and moist. A keeper!
I could never afford one of these knives. I would love to win. I have tried many of your recipes and you always come out on top. Please consider me, if not, thanks anyway.
Thank you for this giveaway! Very generous of you & your mom! I definitely would give this knife to my son who loves all things from Japan! I’m sure he would love to use such a knife when he’s making his favorite sushi.
p.s. I’ve printed the chicken breast recipe. Sounds like a keeper!
My daughter is a real fussy eater but one thing she loves is chicken. Can not wait to do this dish for her.
Another thing she does love is sushi, the knife would be a fantastic tool to use.
Love your recipes and that knife!! ❤️
I bought the most expensive scissors I could afford for sewing. Like any craft, buy the best to make your job of learning not struggling with cheap tools.
I’m learning the art of actually cooking. I’d love this knife.
That knife is gorgeous and it would please me greatly to own such a fine tool. My 8″ Wustoff Chef’s knife is almost 20 years old, and it looks it, but I maintain the blade with the help of my butcher. I have never used a Japanese knife but have always secretly wanted one.
I am already a subscriber and I enjoy preparing the recipes I receive in my email. I plan to make the Glazed Lemon Cake this weekend for friends.