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 knife is beautiful and the recipe looks delicious.
Can’t wait to try this chicken! I finish my grilled chicken with honey sometimes & I’m guessing the brown sugar has a similar result. So yummy!
The knife is stunning, too…my kitchen & cooking wouldn’t do it justice but I want it anyway. Just because 🙂
Have put 2 of my sons who are flatting onto your site too as we have never had a bad meal from you and this is my ‘go to site’!
Have the chicken breasts ready for this one to try.
I would love to be considered for the knife.
Keep the recipes coming!
Hi, Nagi! Can’t wait to try this new recipe and also would love to win this beautiful knife!
Hi Nagi. Not hard to see why your site is so popular. This recipe looks like another winner! On the weekend I made your meatloaf recipe and tonight it is the sesame crusted salmon. Since stumbling across your site late last year – cooking the evening meal has become sooooooo much easier. Your site is a gem – not only tasty, simple recipes – but such a warm and gracious hostess. I would love to win the knife – of course! But will be happy to keep coming back for more wonderful recipes.
Gorgeous knife!
I would love this knife!! 🙂
Would love to win the knife. Have been following your Recipetineats page and have made may of your recipes and they have all been enjoyed, particularly by my husband who tells everyone he gets gourmet meals every night!! The knives that I use are USELESS so please pick me 🙂
Thank you for wonderful recipe and possibility to win this knife 😍 I want this knife!) (Nurochka@mail.ru)
Nagi when you have time, I love the look of that beautiful rice accompliment to the chicken. Could you tell me if it is a new recipe? I’ve had a look at your other great rice accompliments but can’t identify this one.
I would also love to know the ingredients of the rice accompaniment please. Looks divine
Nagi, I too am interested in knowing more about the rice – it looks delicious and I am cooking up the chicken tonight.
I am truly thankful that you are an excellent cook and communicator. I am truly thankful that I discovered your site while hunting for a recipe for shredded beef burritos and mexican red rice(I like a theme). The comments from my family keep me coming back for more. I find myself using your recipes more than any others because I am confident that there will be ooohs and aaahs and everyone will leave the table satisfied and happy-feeling better for having been there. That is the best outcome for family meals, right! From the midweek paella to the spanish churros and upside down strawberry cake and cheesy potato gratin stacks-EVERYTHING I’ve tried is delicious and simple. My family is never disappointed. I really appreciate your hard work-your foodtography is also inspiring. p.s. I could really use a great knife.
Hello! Your recipes are wonderful. .. and I’m a Golden owner too! Love to hear of Dozer’s adventures. I’d be honored to cook with these beautiful knives. My husband would appreciate them also. Thank you!
I would LOVE this knife! And this recipe looks delish. <3
Another beautiful, easy and versatile recipe and it’s CHICKEN, my favourite. Nagi since my Dad died I no longer have my live in knife sharpener. My dad was a chef and taught us all the value and care for a good knife. He always used a sharpening stone and oil to maintain his knives and mine. I would love the opportunity to be included In this competition. To be a good cook you need good tools!
I’d love to use a really great knife since I’ve used so many that are not well made. Really enjoy all the recipes, too!
I love your recipes and would love this knife!
I would be honored to use this knife when i cook every day!
What a beautiful work of art…I would love this! Even if I don’t win it, I hope it goes to someone truly deserving!
I would love to win this beautiful knife 😍 fallenstarche@gmail.com
I want this knife!! So cool. (Justr5000@aol.com)