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 want that knife!! 😁
Would love to win the knife!!
Hi Nagi so good of you to have such an extraordinary gift as a giveaway .The knife is nothing short of perfect it is just what I need for all my cooking and such a beautiful piece to have inI my kitchen as well .
I love your blog and have tried many of your recipes with great success they are so easy to follow and always turn out excellent.If I don’t win this knife I hope the person who does realises what a great treasure they have.
Thank you Nagi.
Want ❤️🔪🔪🔪
Hello from Moscow. It is such a pleasure to cookaccording to your recipes, and hope to win this fantastic knife.
This looks delicious. I have made many of your recipes and all have turned out fantastic. Especially the dry brined turkey and the crispy slow cooker chicken stir fry. I would love to have this knife. Having a great knife makes kitchen prep so much easier and enjoyable.
I love cooking and believe a sharp and sturdy knife is integral to cooking efficiently in any kitchen. I have loved watching your recipes come to life on Instagram. I would love to enter the draw to continue sharing my love for cooking for years to come. Thanks!
This knife would make my kitchen complete 😍 My husband wouls also be grateful as he wouldn’t have to sharpen our one knife for me Every single Time I want to use it 😂 (and maybe make my husband cook more!). Thanks!
Omg; this knife is beautiful and much needed in my kitchen. Pick me pick me,,
Really was surprised how yummy the chicken was! Thank you! Would really love the knife. Glad I found you. Looking forward to more great recipes
Love your recipes! And your choice of knife… I’d love it to be mine.💗🐉🔪
I love your site and recipes! I would love to have this knife!
hi nagi, would simply love this knife as mine are blunt and useless, woyld enable me to try more of your scrumptious recipes!
THIS KNIFE WOULD BE PERFECT
my fiance and I just closed on our house March 16th and we get married July 22nd! This would be a perfect addition to our new kitchen!
When I think of Japan the word HONOR always comes to mind. Their traditions and customs are centered on that word and I personally would be HONORED to win the Japanese knife.
I would love that knife!!!
This knife would be wonderful to own. I cook 1 or 2 of your recipes every week. They’re amazing. Kirsty. xx
zoluszone@btopenworld.com
Hi Nagi,
I would love to have another Japanese knife. We do have a Japanese ‘cai cao’ knife (my wife uses it for her Chinese cooking) and it needs a brother (or sister) for the other knife tasks !
Always love your recipe. Have been followibg you on Facebook for lobg time. Hope I am the lucky one.
Hi Nagi
Love all yr recipes especially the brown sugar apple muffins. Cutting all the apples with this exquisite knife would definitely help! Keep the recipes coming. Thank you.
Hi Nagi,
I would love to win this beautiful knife and use it in my brand new kitchen!
Thanks