Oven Baked Chicken Breast

The Ultimate Guide to Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Every Time

Oven-baked chicken breast is a healthy, versatile, and simple staple, but it’s notorious for turning out dry and bland. This method guarantees perfectly juicy, seasoned chicken with minimal effort.

🍗 The Foolproof Recipe

Prep Time: 10 mins (+ optional brine) | Cook Time: 18-22 mins | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each, uniform thickness)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• Seasoning Blend:
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or Italian blend)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
• Optional: fresh lemon slices, fresh herbs for garnish

👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Chicken (The Most Important Step!):

• Pound to Even Thickness: Place chicken between plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag. Pound to ½–¾ inch uniform thickness using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or skillet. This ensures even cooking.
• Optional Brine (For Extra Juiciness): For 30 minutes, soak chicken in 4 cups water + ¼ cup salt. Rinse and pat dry. Or do a quick dry brine: sprinkle with salt, let sit uncovered in fridge for 1-24 hours.

2. Season:

• Pat chicken very dry with paper towels. Moisture is the enemy of browning.
• Drizzle with olive oil, rub to coat.
• Mix all dried seasonings in a bowl, then sprinkle generously on both sides.

3. Bake:

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Use convection if available.
• Place chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a baking dish. For extra flavor, add lemon slices or fresh herbs underneath.
• Bake for 16-22 minutes (depending on thickness) until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Start checking at 16 minutes.
• Optional Broil: For more color, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end (watch closely).