Introduction
Oh, the humble chicken breast! It’s one of those weeknight dinner staples that can sometimes feel a little… predictable. But what if I told you there’s a way to make baked chicken breast so incredibly juicy, perfectly seasoned, and ridiculously easy that it’ll become your new go-to? Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer, and it’s the kind of meal that brings back warm, cozy feelings of home-cooked goodness without all the fuss. I’m so excited for you to try it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easy: Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean anyone can make this.
- Giftable: While you’ll probably eat it all yourself, it’s a great base for meal prepping!
- Crowd-pleasing: A foolproof way to serve chicken that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to deliciousness! You probably have most of these in your pantry already:
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 4 medium pieces): Look for chicken that’s roughly the same size so it cooks evenly. If one is much thicker than others, you can gently pound it down a bit so they’re all about the same thickness.
- 1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt: Sea salt has a lovely clean flavor that really brings out the best in the chicken.
- 1 tsp garlic powder: For that irresistible garlicky goodness without any chopping!
- 1 tsp paprika: This gives a beautiful color and a subtle sweet, smoky flavor. Sweet paprika is great, but smoked paprika adds an extra layer of deliciousness if you have it.
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (or to taste): Freshly ground pepper makes all the difference, trust me!
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter: This helps the seasonings stick and creates a lovely, golden crust. Olive oil is my go-to, but avocado oil has a high smoke point and butter adds a rich flavor!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this simple magic happening in your kitchen!
- Preheat your oven: Get that oven warming up to 400°F (200°C). A nice hot oven is key for getting a good sear and cooking the chicken through.
- Pat it dry: Grab some paper towels and gently pat your chicken breasts dry. This step is super important! It helps the seasonings stick better and creates a nicer texture on the outside.
- Mix up the flavor: In a small bowl, combine your sea salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Give it a good stir to make sure all those lovely spices are well mixed.
- Season generously: Now, take your spice mix and rub it all over every single side of those chicken breasts. Don’t be shy – you want that flavor to really penetrate!
- Add the fat: Drizzle your chosen oil or melted butter over the seasoned chicken. Use your hands to gently rub it all over, ensuring each piece is nicely coated. This helps create that beautiful golden finish.
- Into the dish: Place your beautifully seasoned chicken breasts into a baking dish. I like to use a shallow baking dish so the chicken isn’t crowded.
- Bake to perfection: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to be cooked through – the juices should run clear when you pierce it with a fork, or better yet, use a meat thermometer. You want it to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let it rest: This is arguably the MOST important step for juicy chicken! Once it’s out of the oven, let the chicken breasts rest in the baking dish for about 5 minutes before you slice into them. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it wonderfully moist and tender.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful blank canvas for your culinary creativity!
- Herbs: Feel free to add dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to your seasoning mix. Fresh herbs work too, but you might want to chop them finely and mix them with the oil before rubbing them on.
- Spice it up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the seasoning mix.
- Citrusy twist: A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice over the chicken before baking can add a bright, zesty flavor. You could even add lemon slices to the baking dish!
- Onion Powder: For an extra layer of savory flavor, add about 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder to the spice blend.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks can make your baked chicken breast experience even better:
- Even Thickness: As I mentioned, ensuring your chicken breasts are roughly the same thickness helps them cook evenly. If you have one that’s particularly thick, you can gently pound it between two pieces of plastic wrap until it’s about 3/4 inch thick.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breast can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer! It’s the easiest and most reliable way to tell when it’s perfectly cooked without being overdone.
- Prep Ahead: You can mix up your dry seasoning blend up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container. Then, when it’s time to cook, you just need to pat the chicken dry, rub with the seasoning, and bake!
- For a Crispier Exterior: If you like a slightly crispier edge, you can broil the chicken for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, keeping a very close eye on it to prevent burning.
How to Store It
Leftover baked chicken breast is a culinary treasure! Once cooled completely:
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze cooked chicken breast. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will last in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
This cooked chicken is perfect for slicing over salads, adding to sandwiches, tossing into pasta dishes, or using in stir-fries!
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are incredibly forgiving and will stay moist. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly, as they can sometimes take a few minutes longer to cook through. Aim for that 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
What if I don’t have paprika?
No worries! You can omit the paprika or substitute it with an equal amount of garlic powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. The chicken will still be delicious!
How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked without a thermometer?
The best visual cues are that the juices run completely clear when you pierce the thickest part of the breast with a fork or knife, and the inside of the chicken is no longer pink. However, a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to ensure it’s safely cooked to 165°F (74°C).
Enjoy this wonderfully simple and delicious baked chicken breast! It’s a true testament to how a few simple ingredients and a little bit of care can create something truly satisfying. Happy cooking!
The Easiest Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Equipment
- paper towels
- Small bowl For mixing seasonings
- Baking dish Shallow dish recommended
- Meat thermometer Optional, for accuracy
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast about 4 medium pieces, aim for similar thickness
- 1.5 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika sweet or smoked
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, avocado oil, or melted butter for seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Gently pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This step is super important! It helps the seasonings stick better and creates a nicer texture on the outside.2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- In a small bowl, combine your sea salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Give it a good stir to make sure all those lovely spices are well mixed.2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Now, take your spice mix and rub it all over every single side of those chicken breasts. Don’t be shy – you want that flavor to really penetrate!2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Drizzle your chosen oil or melted butter over the seasoned chicken. Use your hands to gently rub it all over, ensuring each piece is nicely coated. This helps create that beautiful golden finish.2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Place your beautifully seasoned chicken breasts into a baking dish. I like to use a shallow baking dish so the chicken isn't crowded.2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Pop that dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to be cooked through – the juices should run clear when you pierce it with a fork, or better yet, use a meat thermometer. You want it to reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- This is arguably the MOST important step for juicy chicken! Once it’s out of the oven, let the chicken breasts rest in the baking dish for about 5 minutes before you slice into them. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it wonderfully moist and tender.2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast