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 this knife to give to my huband as it would do justice to the amazing food he cooks, especially his sandwhiting sashimi with Karachi chilli. Thank your mum from all of us. I also think a give away should be nice olive oil!
Hi Nagi thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway if I won this knife I would give it to my son as he has been telling me about these knives.
Hi Nagi. I would l love to have this wonderful knife. There’s nothing better than a good sharp knife. Love all the recipes here!
My favorite recipes ever! Lemon Greek chicken started it all. I’d love to have this knife! Heatherand2bulldogs@yahoo.com
I would love to have this knife
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I would love love this beautiful knife. Have lived couple years in Okinawa, and although it’s not mainland Japan the love for food and the art for food I saw was mesmerizing and amazing. And definitely the craftsmanship is extraordinary for knifes made In Japan. Aregato.
I made this recipe tonight. It was easy and delicious thanks!
I would love this knife, because no matter how much I sharpen, and have had others sharpen my knives they are still not very good. With all the cooking I do this would be a great knife for me.
I’m would love this knife! Love cooking all your recipes 😊
Would so love one of these bad boys!!!
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I would love to give a quality knife such as this a home please 🙏🏼 🔪🇯🇵🔪🇯🇵🙏🏼
Hi Nagi,
Just the recipe I need for my quick lunches, thank you.
I would love to win this knife, I basically have one knife I use over and over and I am in desperate need for a new knife.
cheers
connie
New to the cooking game and all, I would love to win this knife since I always trouble cutting and chopping! Thank you!
I’ve been following you for some time and I’m new at cooking. I enjoy it so much and would LOVE this fabulous knife!!
Hi Nagi, before I say how much I want these knives, I just want to thank you so much for all of the time you put into the incredible recipes you make. I have made mango ice cream, the shepherds pie and (my favorite) the pork pot sticker/gyoza from a few months ago, along with many others. I have been following you for years and you inspire me to be a better cook and try dishes from all over the world. it would honestly make me so happy to win these beautiful knives I know I would cry lol. I am just moving out into an apartment now and am starting from the bottom. These knives would help so much with cooking and every time I use them I would be so appreciative. Then I can make this amazing sounding recipe here. Much love, Jessi
I love watching your cooking videos, your food always look so delicious. I am still on a hunt for a perfect knife and would love to have this knife!
i really really want this knife ,. more power 💗
I really need this knife in my life. Pick me please! Pick me!
What a awesome knife. I could really cut a lot of things with that. Meat and more meat.
I want to enter the giveaway!! I love Japanese blades! The absolute best knives and SHARPEST knives I’ve ever used!!!
I love e yiur page and recipes by the way!!! Keep it up Nagi!!!! Say hi to dozer for me!!