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….
Would love to win this knife for my husband, he loves to help me in the kitchen!
I am trying this recipe tonight =)
Hi Nagi, I would love to have this knife!! I’ve never really had the luxury of using such sharp knives before and it would be the perfect addition in my kitchen! Love all your recipes and can’t wait to try it with this new knife. Hope I win the giveaway!! Thanks so much for doing this for all your followers 🙂
Hi Nagi,
I love your site, the recipes are so tasty and are always a winner at the dinner table. I would love the knife if i was so lucky
That knife would change the game for me!! Your recipes have changed our boring meals into something to look forward to. Thank you so so much❤️❤️
My favourite Knife is my KASUMI Knife I picked it up for a song on a bus tour fundraiser. I’m totally fascinated with the striations on the blade! Until I bought it, in my fifties, I’d never realised what I was missing.. so brilliant to have this one beautiful knife! Chicken Breast has always been a challenge Nagi. I can’t wait to try it, especially the bashing with my fist part. 🤪
I’d love to have win the knife. I also love your inst account!!
I would love to have this knife! Your recipes are awesome 👏
Would love to win the knife! My husband and I love to cook and use a lot of your receipes, which they all turn out and always tasty. Follow you on instagram as well. Love that you have photos of your dog from time to time.
Sorry forgot to do the 5 stars before submitting.
There is nothing better than having a good quality knife in the kitchen to help make a delicious meal. Love to have this one as I just broke the tip off the I currently have.
I would love this knife as I’ve been cooking your recipes with a dodgy $10 one from Kmart !
(My ex kept the good set in the great break up of 2015)
So far I’ve made: slow cooked lamb leg, your spaghetti bolognaise, your lasagna, your Greek meatballs and your oven baked chicken/brocolli and rice dish. And that’s just this week !!
About to pop to the shops for chicken to try out the recipe above !!
This would make a wonderful start to truly beautiful knife collection.
Hi Nagi, I would love to win this knife!!
KONICHIWA!!! Knife please!!
I need a good knife when I make sushi at home thank you. My email charge22222@yahoo.com
Recipe looks great! Gonna have to try. Who would have thought.
*I want the knife.
What a beautiful knife and what a super tasty little chicken dish!
I love your recipes and I would like to have the knife.
Gladys
I need this knife in my life big time. Thank you Nagi
I’ve tried all sorts of knives, can’t find one sharp enough without paying a arm and a leg . I like to Devine my own chickens, need a knife sharp enough to. Cut the fat off of larger pieces of beef etc. in other words, I would love the knife. Make my life so much easier.P.S. I’ve trued many of your recipes.. family has enjoyed them. As well as pictures of Dozer.
Hi Nagi, I cook every weekend for family and friends. I’ve tried nearly every-one of your recipes and they have all been a big hit and believe me there are some picky eaters in the group. I’ve never been able to purchase a beautiful knife such as this one. I would love to add it to the knives that my family has gifted me as a thanks to continue the tradition our parents started in having family meals with the comfort foods we grew up on. My father was from Peru and my mother was from Norway, so we have some interesting recipes they handed down. Your recipes remind me of our parents as they are a fusion of sorts. My favorite recipe is Baked Balsamic Chicken!