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….
I would love to win this knife as it would further help me to make healthy and delicious meals for my family. Thank you for the opportunity!
I would LOVE to win these knives!! I’ve gotten into cooking more because of your delicious yet eat to follow recipes. Having great quality knives would make cooking so much easier and more enjoyable!
That knife is awesome!! Every cook should have a knife like that!! My knives are always dull. My family laughs at me often lol!!
What a gorgeous knife! I would love to win it. In the meantime I’ll be trying the chicken recipe and digging back into your catalog for old favorites.
Hi nagi. I want!😁 Tried some of your recipes and the flavor profiles are always spot on with out preference. You are my go-to gal when i need inspiration. Credit to dozer too who makes me calm when i start new recipes from your blog. More power!
Wow! What an amazing giveaway. I would love to win that beautiful knife. Thank you for being so generous with your readers!!!
Yes! I want this knife! Just ask my daughter…all my knives are dull. They always are because I can’t find a good knife…EVER!
Hi Nagi, we absolutely love your recipes, have tagged friends and family quite a few times as well. I would love to win the knife. I am still using my old knife that I bought as an 18 year old. I am now 53. Time to update me thinks lol. Thank you
I would love to win this knife. Enjoy all your recipes!!
I would like to win that knife! I love cooking, and so does my father. This july my parents are having their 25th anniversay, so i would like to give my dad a beautiful present.
I’ll put my mail in this comment just in case, because i don’t know if its enough writing it just in the field below
I want this knife .
I would love this beautiful knife!
WAHHHHH~~~~
Yes! I want this knife! No…I TOTALLY need this knife!! 🙂
I would love to have that knife, its hard to find a good sharp knife in my kitchen.thanks
Nagi, this is so sweet and generous! I’m so glad this is not one of those Instagram giveaway that requires you to tag as many people as possible. I can’t afford to buy a good knife, but it doesn’t hurt to try to win one. We have been enjoying your simple yet delicious recipes, you have saved many nights of “oh dear, it’s dinner time, I wonder what can I cook to feed my family??”. Thank you so much for your hard work!
Your recipes look delicious and a great knife makes everything easier.
Wow …. I would really like to have this beautiful and useful knife in my kitchen. I have been following your blog for 2 years and love your with detailed recipes with beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing the recipes.
I would love to win this knife! I so look forward to your recipes and have made many of them—-to many compliments! I like the simplicity of the recipes and the low cost of many of them! I also like the addition of Oriental recipes due to the use of many vegetables! I have never owned a good set of knives—-in fact, I am still using my original set of knives that were a wedding present 56 years ago!!!! Keep sending your great recipes! Barb
I forgot to ask if the suit is for Dozer??? He appears to be asking if it is for him. If it is for him and you ever get him into it, PLEASE take a picture!
Your recipes are delicious! I wonder if I would love the knife more than I love your recipes?!?! ❤️❤️
Thank you Nagi for such a much appreciated giveaway. I would love to win your knife. I look forward to your daily emails and so enjoy seeing your travels (especially Japan)! I also enjoy your mother’s recipes as my mother didn’t write any down so when she passed away I was lost.
Thank you for all you do for so many of us!