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 discovered your Facebook page awhile back and I’ve been hooked! Your recipes are yummy and easy to make. It’s even better when I have help from my partner, who enjoys cooking as well.
As a self-taught cook, winning this knife would be awesome since I have to use other people’s knives in the kitchen (and they somehow get misplaced or ruined- not by me!) I’d make sure to keep this one safe.
Wow what an awesome master piece! I would love to win this! Email is catheevu@icloud.com!
What a beautiful knife I need one
Oishi!!😋☺️..pls let me win! I want the knife pretty pls. Thank you.😙
I would love to have this knife!! My husband and I both love cooking and cooking together. We’ve enjoyed your recipes, and always get excited when we get a new one in our e-mail. Every time we go to Bed Bath and Beyond, we always go to the knives, dream of buying a knife like the one in your give away, and we always say “one day we’ll have one.” Even if we don’t win, thank you for your amazing recipes. Not only are they so good, they help my husband and I stay connected and unwind after a long work day.
Hi Nagi! I would LOVE to have this knife. I really enjoy cooking, especially for others, and I am absolutely obsessed with sharp knives. Being a college student though, I don’t have the luxury to invest in a good knife like this, but one day…*fingers-crossed* :)))
P.s.
Your recipes are always very detailed and you always have everything I crave to make. AND I LOVE IT.
Michelle
Hi Nagi. One more great recipe from you! Me and my friends always bank on you party food recipes. Do keep posting more photos of Dozer 🤗. I have never been able to afford a good kitchen knife and Would love to have that Japanese knife. Thank you!
That knife is a thing of beauty and would surely be treasured in my food-centric home. I’m going to need to try the chicken as well; we eat chicken often and I get bored of them same old ways I often fix it!
I love a good Japanese knife!
Your site is pretty epic…
I want this knife because right now, my favorite knife is a chinese Atlas that I’ve had for about 30 years. I want to see the difference between it and a Japanese chef’s knife.
Would love my first really good quality knife.
I have always struggled to cook boneless chicken breast and not have it taste dry..your recipe is bookmarked for me to use.
I’m a father of 3 and I do all the cooking and I’m always trying new things.. I’d love to make this knife my main “go-to” knife for all my meal preparations. I’ve never owned such a knife as this..
i have always thought a sharp knife was the best and safest utensil in the kitchen. It facilitates efficient chopping. I would love to have this knife.
Hey Nagi,
I look forward to receiving your emails every single week. I am a home cook myself and have tried multiple of your recipes which have all turned out amazing.
If I was to win this amazing knife, I would ensure that it’s being used and stored in the best possible way. I strongly believe that if you have a good set of knives it makes cooking so much more enjoyable, smooth and beautiful.
Thank you for generosity, consistency and amazing recipes.
Mona xx
You’re right! A sharp knife is needed in a working kitchen.. I would love to have a japanese knife… I was there last week and can only get a ceramic peeler! 😊
I would love the knife!
Thanks for sharing dinner with us every night, Nagi! You have changed our lives 😀💃😀😍
This knife would be super-handy!!
Cheers
Halina
Wow this would be awesome! I have been doing some research on kitchen knives as I need to upgrade mine and Japanese knives are definitely on top of everyone’s list of favourites! Would love to have one in my kitchen!
HI Nagi, I’m loving your blog, recipes and Dozer!! I also LOVE working in the kitchen and the Japanese knife would be very much appreciated, especially from Y-O-U! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Keep up the great work!
Hey Nagi
I want this knife…. I neeeeeed this knife hahaha!
Your the best, literally saved me so many times when I’m unprepared for dinner haha
Thanks so much 🙂