Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Introduction

Oven baked chicken breast is a simple and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. With a blend of spices and a touch of butter, it stays juicy and tender while developing a deliciously browned crust. This recipe is easy to follow and sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter (diced)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
2. Step 2: Place the chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness of about 0.5 – 0.75 inches. Rub olive oil evenly over both sides.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
4. Step 4: Coat each chicken breast evenly with the seasoning blend and arrange them in the casserole dish.
5. Step 5: Top each piece of chicken with a small slice of diced butter.
6. Step 6: Bake for 18-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Then broil for 1-3 minutes to brown the top.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with the seasoning mixture for 30 minutes before baking.
• Substitute light brown sugar with honey for a different sweetness profile.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice after baking to brighten the flavors.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, richer dish, adjusting cooking time accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to keep it moist. Avoid overcooking during reheating to prevent dryness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to thaw chicken breasts fully before cooking to ensure even baking and proper internal temperature.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.

Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 109 reviews

This Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken breasts coated with a delicious blend of spices and a touch of brown sugar for subtle sweetness. The chicken is baked to perfection at 400°F, then broiled briefly to achieve a golden-brown crust, making it a simple yet impressive dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter, diced

Seasoning Mix

• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Pound Chicken Evenly: Place the chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even thickness of about 0.5 to 0.75 inches. This ensures even cooking and tender results. Then rub the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil to help the seasoning adhere.
3. Mix Seasonings and Coat Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over each chicken breast to infuse flavor throughout the meat.
4. Arrange and Add Butter: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the greased casserole dish. Top each breast with a slice of diced butter which will melt during baking and add moisture and richness.
5. Bake and Broil: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F (74°C). For a beautiful golden-brown finish, switch the oven to broil and cook the chicken for an additional 1 to 3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Notes

• Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps ensure the breasts cook evenly and stay juicy.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken.
• Broiling at the end adds a lovely caramelized crust but keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.
• This recipe can be doubled or halved easily depending on your needs.
• Leftover chicken breasts can be sliced and used in salads, sandwiches, or wraps.

Keywords: oven baked chicken, baked chicken breast recipe, easy chicken dinner, juicy chicken breast, healthy chicken recipe