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!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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….
This is an excellent recipe. I always find chicken breasts dry in the oven, but this was flavourful AND succulent! In future, I may add a bit of cayenne to spice it up.
Wahoo, I’m so glad you loved it Rachael!
I cooked this today but used an iron cast pan on stove top. Hubby and I loved it. Is baking it better? Am making another batch for my son and his young family tomorrow. Should I bake it? Thanks.
Hi Mel, either way it will be great!
I want to try this as accompaniment to pesto pasta.
That would be amazing Mel!
I baked chicken breasts this way about dozen of times. Always a success! Succulent and flavoursome.Thank you, Nagi)
Wahoo, that’s great Yelena!
Thank you for sharing this wonderfully juicy chicken breast recipe! My family and I love it and will certainly be making it often. I used oregano and thyme and it was perfect. I’m so happy I made extra to put on top of my work day lunch salad.
This recipe is great for lunch prep Maron!
Hi, what is substitute for brown sugar? I only have white sugar here? Thanks
Great flavours and super easy to make for beginner cooks! I didn’t have any brown sugar so I used maple syrup instead, the chicken was a delicious and juicy.
perfect Maia!
My family really liked this chicken! I will definitely make it again.
That’s awesome Julie!
I’ve never liked chicken breast and have always struggled to cooked it but my hubby and our toy moodle loves it. I work full time and never liked cooking anyway.
Tonight I was sick of takeaways and so tried your Oven baked Chicken breast recipe and absolutely loved it!!! So tender, juicy and so easy. Thank you so much!!!This will be a weekly staple from now on instead of a bbq chicken from coles or takeaway.
I’m so glad you loved it Katrina!
At first I was hesitant to make this recipe because of the ingredients.. I was in a pinch and said okay what the heck… and I am so glad I did. It was a hit with the hubs and our picky 2 year old! Thank you for such a great recipe!
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Lacey!
Can you use bone in chicken breast’s?
Hi Carol, I prefer boneless as you want them quite thin (as you pound them out) – N x
I was desperate for an easy skinless chicken breast recipe and found this. My family love it and were finishing off the leftover bits and every bit of sauce left on the pan. Thanks so much!
That’s awesome Raihan!
Beautiful chicken dinner. Love the ease of this recipe.
Thanks so much for the awesome feedback Michael!
the whole family loves this recipe, and it’s so easy.
Hey very new to cooking so I’m sorry, but what is the liquid you put on before the seasoning?
Olive oil
This is my ‘go to’ recipe when I have no dinner inspiration.
I keep a premix of the seasoning in bulk and I have dinner prepped by the time the oven is hot.
Great idea Skye!!
I hate chicken breast because its always dry and tasteless..
However this is the best i have had.. its great
Wahoo, you’re converted!!
I love your recipes !!! thank you !!
You’re so welcome, thanks so much Connie!
My Son just gave this chicken recipe a 10/10. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
WAHOOO!!!! That’s great Athalie!
Wow! Simple yet so effective, I will never bake chicken breast another way! Thank you so much for this recipe
You’re totally converted Serina!