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 never bought an expensive knife, I guess I dont know what I am missing, I would love to know! Yes I would like the knife.
Hey Nagi
What a beauty. I want this knife!! (and a Dozer of my own too please :o)~)
A quality knife makes all the difference when preparing meals – would love to win this one!
Hi Nagi
Of course I would love to have this knife.
I had the privilege to accompany my mom and dad to Japan in 1989.
What a wonderful experience. We loved the people, the food, the culture. All of it.
My dad was so enamored he took a course in conversational Japanese.
We’d love to go back. We’re from Canada.
Having a new kitchen being fitted next week. A set of new knives would perfect. hindpal.jandu@gmail.com
I would love to have this knife!
I want this beautiful knife.
The knife is just 😍 i would love the chance to win this – such a generous thing for you to do, thank you on behalf of whoever wins this, it’s an incredible gift
Oh, how much do I want this knife! Fingers and toes are crossed.
Every time I login to insta I get excited to see your new recipes ☺️ I am a mother of two and am at the stage where I’m over deciding what to cook. I get most my inspiration from your blog. Love your notes and assurances you give in your methods. Your Recipies are carried out weekly so having that Japanese crafted beauty in my kitchen would make any home cooks dream come true.
Thank you for the wonderful food journey. Keep those recipes coming.
This knife is beautiful !!
Hi Nagi,
I love your recipes. Thank you for sharing them with us.
I would really enjoy using a quality knife like the one you’re giving away. Yes, please include me in the drawing.
Thanks,
Hello,
Will try this for friday night dinner! With hopes for a lucky draw 👍🏽😁 Thanks from Sweden for some great recipes👌🏽
Best regards
//per
Japanese knives are amazing! I remember trying mine for the first time & the ease, craftsmanship & beauty was something I’ll never forget. Just as important though is the story behind the knife – the craftsman, the skills passed down from generation, the respect & pride for what they produce. Thank you for your recipes & love that you paid respect to the humble cooking tools behind all that’s delicious food. Great post!
Excited to get a chance at this knife bc it would make cooking much easier on my Ehlers-Danlos hands. Thank you!
Ever since my first cookery lesson at High School (many many moons ago now) our teacher Miss Crab, yes that was her name. Miss Crab taught us the most dangerous thing in the kitchen was a blunt knife so we were taught how to sharpen knives.
I would love to own a Japanese handmade knife, to use a finely made knife would be a delight. It would be something I would pass on to my son as he too loves to cook.
Hi Nagi,
Recently found you via good ol instagram 👍
ThAnks for the opportunity to win this awesome knife!
Looking forward to more of your recipes 😁
I’d love to win the knife so I can easily prep dinners by cutting food faster.
First of all I like to say I really appreciate your Instagram videos they make me a star with my family and friends. I would love to win that knife so I can cut and slice my way to stardom. It make it easier to cut those thin slices to all the proteins I love to cook. And even if I don’t win I really do love your videos keep them coming.
Hi Nagi,
I would love to win such a beautiful knife.
Cut my finger the other day 😓 so this would be perfect to upgrade my out dated knife.
I love your recipes, they’re always a hit in my family. Great tasting and simple to make.