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….
Love and enjoy your terrific recipies, and I would definitely enjoy and appreciate adding a Japanese crafted knife to my, somewhat regular kitchen knives,, also, I would love to try an authentic yakitori grilling station,,, how or where could I order one from? Thanks again for the great recipies!!!
I’ve never owned nice knives (and I’m about to go to grad school so buying a set isn’t in my future) so I’d love to win these and put them to good use meal prepping and hosting dinners for fellow classmates 🙂
I so so want that knife! $500!!
My Shun knife was a little over the top but a good knife is a must!
Lovely mix of spices… I usually skip the sugar but I’ll try this out! thanks!
I would really love this beautiful knife. Thank you for an opportunity at such an amazing prize.
Wow! what a knife! I love to cook and love great knives!
I would love to have this knife as I have never owned such a quality knife. Thank you for your giveaway!!
The recipe looks amazing! And I would love to have that knife.
Most of what I cook has come from this website. Id be estatic and would really appreciate having a beautiful Japanese Knife to use in even more recipes.
(julia.vi99@gmail.com)
P.s the video of the knife is action is AMAZING. Holy Moly.
To whom this concerns:
i would like to win this beautifully crafted knife to give it to my sister. She and my neice enjoy time together cooking and baking.
Thank you
The chicken looks delicious, might try it tonight. My favorite gifts are kitchen. My beloved sister has gifted me my best ones. I hope I win. Good luck to me
Today is World Poultry Day! What a perfect recipe for me to have for dinner tonight on Poultry Day!! And I would love to have a beautiful knife to half my chicken breasts with. I would love to have this knife!
Would this recipe work with boneless thighs as well?
I would LOVE this knife. I had a knife block with some great Japanese knives that I lost in my divorce. Now I have ONE decent knife, but nothing of this caliber. Your blog is the best and I recommend it to everyone!!!!
Would love to have a knife like that! Thanks for so many amazing recipes!
Chicken looks great!
I’d love to own that knife.
I would to win this knife. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and this would speed up my chopping!
Cannot wait to try this chicken, looks delish! I have made so many of your recipes, all hits.
Would love to win that gorgeous knife! Thanks for the chance.
Would love to have this knife, I haven’t had a good kitchen knife in years!
Beautiful knife that I would love to have in my kitchen. I love your recipes.
That chicken looks delicious!
I would love to use that beautiful knife. I would probably lose a finger or two trying to learn how to use it but it would be worth it because OH MY IT IS SO GORGEOUS. And I can finally show my foodie friends that I am worthy. 😉
Who doesn’t want a new knife? It’s 2nd on my list after shoes! Thanks Nagi.
I need this knife! My spoons are too dull and the knives I received as a gift in 1992 are mostly broken!