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….
That looks delicious and I would LOVE to own a knife that impressive.
The chicken looks delicious but its the gorgeous knife that really got my attention! Your recipes are wonderful, I look forward to reading them to see what I’m going to make next. The knife would really help me in the kitchen. Much gratitude for all that you do!
oh, oh, oh, I’d love that knife!!! I have been putting off the inevitable: stepping into the world of real knives, and this would be the beginning of a life long romance!!!!
Regardless of whether i am the lucky one or someone else receives the blessing, thank you for making this available and thank you for constantly regaling us with wonderful recipes and a window into your life!
Would love to have this knife as well. Have several others for different uses and so well made.
Am reasonably new to your site thanks to my recipe loving sister and must say your recipes are inspired.
This latest chicken recipe is going into the ROTATION.
Thanks so much
Helen
Yes I would Love a good knife like your offering. I could really use one. Thanks
I would love to use this knife on your awesome new recipe. Can’t wait to try it.
Cheers,
I can’t wait to try the chicken, I love brown sugar.
I have never owned a really good knife so I would be delighted to win it.
You know, it’s really cool to know that someone doesn’t need people to come up with a story for why they want something. People want everything. I would give it to my Mom, but I know she’d put it with ‘guest-ware’, and glare at me every time I asked her to use it LOL. It just looks like an amazing thing to have, and I know it’s something my husband and I couldn’t afford right now. I hope someone really cool wins it, though, meaning everyone here!
Ohhhh, and a big thanks to your Mom for bringing it for us. I know how my Mom looks when I ask her to bring something for my friends! =P
*melting laser glare*
LOL!
You actually have me cooking. I love the directions and it breaks it down in language I can use. I never cooked before and love your brand creation and management. Go girl power. We can do it.
Please include me in your knife contest. This really would get me to stop using our bread knife for everything!
Love the chicken too!
Reading this article and recipe for the oven baked chicken just has me drooling……… having a really decent tool like the Japanese knife in your kitchen is amazing!!!!
I am thrilled about an oven baked chicken breast recipe that will produce a moist and flavorful entrée. When I’m baking chicken, I usually go straight to thighs since breasts tend to be so dry.
Yessss, I would be thrilled to win the knife. It’s scary sharp, but the thing that’s really irresistible is how beautiful it is. The etching and scroll work is gorgeous!
I can’t imagine winning such an awesome gift. I truly need this in my life!!
I not only want this knife, I need this knife!
I have been searching for a good knife and have tried different knives including ceramic ones that just didn’t work for me. Please put me out of my misery and send me this knife.
Thank you.
Oh, and keep those great recipes coming. I look forward to trying many more of them!
The knife would be a lovely addition to my kitchen cuisine!
I would love to have this beautiful work of art that doubles as a knife. I love the craftsmanship involved in traditional Japanese blades and it would be a honour to treasure this one.
This recipe looks great! I can’t wait to try it. I would also love to win the knife to replace my $5 chefs knife that is no longer sharp.
I WANT THIS KNIFE! I WANT THIS KNIFE! And, thanks for such delicious recipes…My family thanks you as well.
I love your recipes and make so many of them! Would love to have this gorgeous knife!!
Thank you
I have become a regular reader and user of your recipes! I have not been disappointed! I would love to have a beautiful, sharp knife that is comfortable in the hand. To say I have dull knives in my drawer would be an understatement. I generally slice into my fingernails more often than the food I am trying to prepare. Also, I love your doggie!
I’ve never had a proper cooking knife, and i’d simply love to own this gorgeous bit of kit! It would make my life a whole lot easier, and i’ve always wanted to own a proper knife! Thank you for all your recipes and hard work too.