This tender and juicy oven baked chicken breast is an easy and versatile dinner staple that's healthy and packed with flavor. It's a foolproof and guaranteed delicious chicken recipe that's prepped in just 5 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch or effortless weeknight dinner!
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My Take On Baked Chicken Breast
You'll never have to worry about dry, bland chicken breasts again with this baked chicken breast recipe! All it takes is a few simple tricks, and you'll be making the juiciest and most flavorful baked chicken breasts that come out perfect every single time.
This recipe has become my go-to for cooking chicken breasts, whether for family dinners or meal prep for the week. They always come out ultra juicy and tender, seasoned just right, and are versatile enough to serve with virtually anything.
This baked chicken breasts recipe has been a total game-changer for how I cook this lean protein, and I guarantee you'll be hooked once you try it.
On top of all that, this recipe is also incredibly simple and fast. It's prepared in 5 minutes and then baked in the oven for 20 minutes. That means you'll have plenty of time to make a quick side dish like this sauteed asparagus or air fryer zucchini.
Why This Recipe Works
Foolproof. All you have to do is pound and season your chicken, then let the oven handle the rest. It's a simple, no-fail process that always produces the most tasty and juicy chicken breast. Baking chicken breasts has never been easier!
Customizable. You can personalize this chicken breast recipe with your favorite seasonings. I used a classic blend of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, but you can switch it up with any spices you like, and it'll always turn out delicious.
Versatile. Serve this baked chicken breast as a main, over pasta, in a sandwich, or in a salad, like this keto cobb salad. It goes well with absolutely anything, and the flavors can easily be adapted for whatever dish you're serving it with.
Ingredients
Besides the chicken breast, you only need a handful of basic pantry staples to make this baked chicken recipe. Odds are, you have it all in your kitchen already and can probably make it for dinner tonight!
Here's everything you'll need to make oven baked chicken breasts:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pre-brined
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon melted and cooled butter
- Steamed or sauteed asparagus, to serve with
By the way, to pre-brine your chicken breast so you can make sure juicy chicken breasts, just dissolve ¼ cup of salt in 4 cups of water. Then, soak the chicken breasts in the solution for 15 minutes before cooking.
Also, it's worth noting that you can use most of these ingredients to make air fried chicken breast and sauteed chicken breast too. They're as quick and easy to make as this baked chicken breast recipe but have totally different and equally delicious results!
How To Make Baked Chicken Breast
1. Prepare chicken breasts: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Then, use a meat mallet to flatten the chicken breasts so they're evenly thick.
2. Season: Combine the melted butter with the paprika and garlic powder in a bowl. Pat the chicken breasts dry and add them to the butter and spices, along with salt and pepper to taste. Rub to coat the chicken evenly on all sides.
3. Cook chicken breast: Arrange the seasoned chicken on a baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F checked with a meat thermometer. Serve your baked chicken breasts warm with some asparagus on the side, and enjoy!
My Tips To Make the Best Recipe
- Don't skip brining the chicken before cooking, it's the key to getting foolproof tender and juicy baked chicken breast.
- Always pound the chicken breasts so they're perfectly tender and cook evenly throughout.
- Get creative with your seasonings and use your favorite spice blends. I especially like this baked chicken breast with the savory, spicy dry rub from my air fryer chicken breast recipe or this classic blackened chicken.
- You can substitute the butter with an equal amount of olive oil if that's what you have available.
- Use coarse salt for your brine, like sea salt or kosher salt. Finer salts like table salt or iodized salt are a lot saltier by volume and could end up in a brine that's too salty.
How I Recommend Storing Baked Chicken Breasts
In the fridge: Transfer your leftover baked chicken breasts to an airtight container and they'll keep them in the fridge for 3-4 days.
In the freezer: Once the chicken breasts have cooled to room temperature, store them in a freezer-safe airtight container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 4 months.
Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F and let the baked chicken breasts come to room temperature on the counter. If you're starting with frozen, thaw the chicken in the fridge first before this step. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish with a splash of water or broth and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
FAQs About This Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?
Baking chicken at 400°F is faster and results in more color and juicy meat if done right, but you also run the risk of drying your chicken out. If you're new to cooking chicken, bake chicken breast at 350°F so you can better monitor the meat and prevent overcooking.
How long does it take to bake chicken at 400?
Boneless skinless chicken breast will cook in about 20-30 minutes at 400°F depending on the thickness. Bone-in skin-on chicken breasts will take about 40-45 minutes.
What can I serve with baked chicken breasts?
Baked chicken breasts are super versatile and pair with practically any kind of starch or veggie side dishes. For a light meal, serve your baked chicken breast with asparagus, roasted cabbage, or grilled carrots. If you're looking for something heartier, try it with this broccoli cauliflower salad or sauteed potatoes.
More Chicken Breast Recipes To Try
- Cheese-stuffed chicken breast\
- Baked bone in chicken breast
- Sauteed chicken breasts
- Baked thin sliced chicken breast
- Roasted chicken and veggies
- Chicken and peppers
Baked Chicken Breast
This tender and juicy oven baked chicken breast is an easy and versatile dinner staple that's healthy and packed with flavor. It's a foolproof and guaranteed delicious chicken recipe that's prepped in just 5 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch or effortless weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, pre-brined*
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon melted and cooled butter
- Steamed or sauteed asparagus, to serve with
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Pound chicken fillets so they are evenly thick.
- In a bowl, combine butter with paprika and garlic powder. Add chicken breasts, along with salt and pepper, and rub to coat on all sides.
- Place the chicken breasts into the baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Bake the chicken for 15-20 minutes or until the inner temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve chicken warm with some asparagus on the side.
Notes
If your chicken is not pre-brined, combine ¼ cup of salt with 4 cups of water. Stir to combine and dissolve the salt and add chicken. Soak the chicken for 15 minutes before use.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 chicken breastAmount Per Serving: Calories: 178Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 24g
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