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….
The best baked chicken I have EVER eaten! It tastes a lot like Chicken Marbella in my opinion but easier and less fatty. Will for sure go on my regular rotation – we used it in chicken wraps today and it was amazing.
Perfect Lauren 🙂 N x
Another winner! I made this today and served it with your butter rice. Let me tell ya, it was so delicious!! I used smoked paprika instead because that’s all I had and OMG! I’ll be making this over and over again. My picky kids loved it. Thanks Nagi 😊
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Loreto! N x
Can you use Minced Garlic instead of Garlic Powder ?
Hi Cameron, unfortunately not – it may burn and go bitter. N x
Hi Nagi! I made this recipe for three times in a row 🙂 cause whole family member love it! Thank you! Super easy to make with super simple ingredients.
Yum. Making this now
Enjoy Kim!! N x
This is such a delicious recipe. Turned out great!!!! Thank you very much
This is now in my regular rotation – I make it with your Garlic Butter Kale Rice as you suggested. Such a fast and easy dinner! I love your videos Nagi – always watch before I try a recipe.
Wahoo, that’s great Karen! N x
I have followed this recipe as is a number of times now and it never fails. As others have said, the chicken is always moist and tender. I roast whatever veggies I have on hand at the same time for a perfect meal.
Perfect Sheila!! N x
Added 1/4 tsp of cayenne to give it a little kick against the sweet, and it came out perfectly; not too hot but with a nice lasting warmth.
I love it spicy Josh, great idea!! N x
This recipe is so easy and so delicious! Thanks! The chicken is always moist!
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Nicole! N x
Wow. Easy even for someone like me. Very tasty you cannot go wrong (I did a little;-). I battered a big fillets and maybe too thin. I checked it after 12 minutes and they were 84 degrees C. The chicken survived and it was still great super taster meal that was still moist.
Wow. Very easy even for someone like me. Very tasty you cannot go wrong (I did a little;-). I battered a big fillets and maybe too thin. I checked it after 12 minutes and they were 84 degrees C. The chicken survived and it was still great super taster meal that was still moist.
Wow, this is so simple to prepare, but so delicious! We had our with veggies, but next time I’ll make extra to have in wraps for lunch. Thanks for another great recipe Nagi!
I’ve made this for pesto chicken pasta several times now and it is OUT OF THIS WORLD. I never realized how simple and flavorful oven cooked chicken could be. This puts the sweet in sweet and salty.
I’m so glad you love it Jonnie!! N x
This is absolutely scrumptious. I made it for dinner tonight. It is easy to prepare and to cook — just pop it in the oven. The chicken is juicy and tasty, not dry and bland like I typically prepare it. My fussy daughter loved it too. Thanks again for another great recipe!
That’s great to hear Corinne!!! N x
This loooks anazing! I’m going to try this today! Has anyone tried it with an air fryer? Time and temp?
Quick question! Is the seasoning for one chicken breast? (150-180g)? or for four?
So awesome!
Can the brown sugar be substituted for coconut sugar?
HI Carol – yes I imagine that will be fine 🙂 N x
Just discovered your amazing website. Made this baked chicken dish for the first time and it was a success. You have made cooking easier and more exciting for me. A big THANK YOU!
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Cathy! N x
This was delicious. The best oven baked chicken Ove cooked. My eldest 8 was so disappointed when he’d finished it. I had to promise I’ll make it again soon.
Woah what a great compliment, thanks so much Ruth!! N x
I am wondering do I use baking soda to tenderize and then use the magic seasoning?
Hi Edward, I’ve found tenderising big pieces of meat doesn’t work that well & you won’t need to tenderise this one – I promise you’ll have juicy chicken breast!