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 have tried many of your recipes. I love them all.
I would love to have the knife. I don’t have a good/ great knife.
Thank you!
I love all your recipes. Have tried many all very good!!
I would love to win the knife. Don’t own a good/great knife.
Thank you!!
I’m sure we need the knife more than anyone! We have 7 kids in the kitchen. Beth
I love all your recipes and I just happened to pick up some chicken breast the other day so will give this recipe a try! I can’t wait 😍
I watched the Japanese man cutting the newspaper with the knife and oh my gosh! It looks awesome!! I would love using it!
Can’t wait to try this on the weekend since I only go for shopping once a week.
Yes, I would love to have this knife in my kitchen. I’ve already tried most of your recipes on ig and the most perfect recipe I made was the Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
I have never had a good knife like this one and I struggle all the time with cutting meats do to neck problems. I would love to have this knife!
As far as the recipe this is delicious 😋
I really want this knife, why?
Because I’m in love with knifes 😍
Long time lurker of your recipes here! My favourite food blog for sure! Would certainly love to win that knife too. 🙂
Looks great I’ll try it this weekend!!!
I really want that knife too!!!
Long time lurker of your recipes here! My favourite food blog for sure!
What’s better than finding this giveaway when browsing through your website to find something to cook tonight!
You really are not wrong about the knife, I have used one of them before and I was amazed by how good they are, so I would love to have one of those!
Love that knife and want it!
Your recipes and videos make me salivate every morning over coffee!! The best inspiration!!! Thankyou so much!
I really want that beautiful knife!! I use my one and only sharp knife- a Global. But this will be the ultimate tool as I am always cooking Asian food for friends.
I have only just discovered your website, looking for an authentic recipe for red curry paste. Planning to cook a red duck curry for friends this weekend. Always trying to achieve that rich red colour in my curries!
Thanks for all your lovely recipes, can’t wait to try them all.
I want that knife!
I am not the most confident cook but you made it manageable. Love your recipes and videos!
Your recipes are tried and true favorited around here – we use your nacho cheese sauce on our breakfast sandwiches almost every week! So thanks for all of the recipes!
And this knife is fantastic! I am a strong believer in the value of a good knife and would love this one. Thanks for the opportunity!
Such a wonderful recipe! I make baked chicken weekly and make enough for leftovers. This recipe will be in my line-up!
I currently have a cheap set of knives from Sharper Image. I would love to be using a proper knife while cooking!
I am a very keen cook and enjoy cooking and preparing from fresh ingredients this knife would help with my knife control, and would take pride of place in my kitchen.
LOve tonhave the knife but love you’re recipes even more!!!
Hi there! I recently discovered your site and I love your recipes! Have tried a few already and all have been hits— I was particularly stoked to see a Döner recipe since I’m from Azerbaijan, which is part of the Turk group! Really yummy!
Real quick fun fact: I went on a solo trip to Japan In 2015 for the very first time when I had my now self dubbed “quarter life crisis”. I got lost so many times but I ended up finding myself there too. I went everywhere from north to southern Japan thanks to my handy JR pass :). Japan will always hold a very, very special place in my heart and I can’t wait to go back! ❤️
Crossing my fingers for this knife!
Hi, I love cooking for my family and friends and would really love to have a good quality knife that I can use for very long time. Your baked chicken recipe looks really yummy!!! Will give it a try this weekend. Hopefully it turns out as good as yours.
I’ve only recently discovered your wonderful recipes. I would love one of those knives.