The BEST Baked Chicken Breast

The BEST Baked Chicken Breast- I promise you this is the BEST oven baked chicken breast recipe you can try at home! so juicy, so flavorful, with a mix of powerful spices this recipe will make the perfect dinner dish. Crisp on the outside, juicy and tender in the middle, follow along for the hands down perfect chicken breast recipe. This is the most popular recipe for chicken breast that I’ve ever published. It’s a JUICY Oven Baked Chicken Breast seasoned with a simple magic seasoning and baked until caramelized. It’s easy, quick, and delicious!

An incredibly simple chicken recipe that, along with Honey Garlic Chicken, epic Parmesan Crusted Chicken, and crispy Garlic Chicken, is a reader favorite. You’ll enjoy it a lot!

The BEST Baked Chicken Breast:

Though I always believe that brown meat is superior to white meat – more flavor, more juiciness – lean chicken breast is a staple in my shopping cart week after week. So today I’m going to share my recipe for Oven Baked Chicken Breast.

As simple as it sounds, if you throw a seasoned breast in the oven without thinking, you’ll be chewing your way through dry chicken and frantically squirting over copious amounts of ketchup to try to salvage it. That does not have to be the case. Enter a fantastic, simple, and magical chicken seasoning for baked chicken breast.

Why Does This Recipe Work?

Spices from the pantry – A pinch of this, a pinch of that, these spices are all commonly found in spice drawers. And, if you don’t have anything, you can easily find it at any grocery store. There are no difficult-to-find ingredients here.

Great for meal planning – If you like to prepare food ahead of time and eat it throughout the week, these healthy baked chicken breasts check all the boxes.

Healthy – There are no bad oils, frying, fattening sauces, or other unhealthy ingredients here. These baked chicken breasts are delicious and a healthy addition to any meal because they are made with high-protein chicken, simple spices, and a splash of citrus.

Simple – Not only are the spices simple, but the preparation is quick and easy, making this a simple recipe. Brown the chicken in spices, then bake it with a squeeze of citrus!

Spices for the Baked Chicken Breast

It all starts with spices, this baked chicken breast recipe needs a mix of 5 spices: 

• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Ground Cumin
• Garlic Powder
• Smoked Paprika
• Hot Chili Powder

How To Season Baked Chicken Breasts?

Again, I love the classic paprika-garlic-pepper combo in the recipe below. However, if you want to spice things up, feel free to substitute any of your favorite dry seasoning mixes, such as:

1. Italian Seasoning 
2. Seasoning Cajun
3. Seasoning Za’atar
4. Seasoning for Tacos
5. Seasoning for Everything Bagel

Ingredients:

Chicken is a blank canvas waiting to be sprinkled, smeared, and flavored. Never, ever under-season chicken. So today I’ve got a simple, yet dazzling seasoning mix (literally the simplest dry rub) that will wow your dinner guests.

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Choose chicken breasts that are roughly the same size for even cooking.
• Spices and herbs: A simple mixture of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper enhances the flavor of the chicken. You don’t have any thyme? Replace the oregano with basil, rosemary, or another herb.
• A light drizzle of olive oil gently coats the chicken to help the seasoning stick and keeps it moist.

How To Make The BEST Baked Chicken Breast?

1. This recipe is simple and quick, which is why I enjoy it. Preheat your oven to 425°F.
2. Combine the spices. Mix the spices and herbs in a bowl until well combined.
3. Coat the chicken in flour. Lightly coat the chicken in olive oil, then generously rub the spice blend over each chicken breast. Ensure that you do this on both sides.
4. Continue to bake. In a baking dish, bake the seasoned chicken breasts for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Allow them to rest once they’ve finished! Resting allows the juices within the meat to redistribute.

How to Perfectly Bake Chicken Breasts?

So my secret to a perfectly browned and evenly cooked chicken breast is to pan sear it before baking using a cast iron pan for a few minutes each side then transferring it to the preheated oven to complete the cooking.But before all of that you need to prepare your spice mix and melt some good butter ( or use some good quality olive oil ) and brush your chicken breasts from each side. Then sprinkle it with that spice mix you prepared before and gently rub the chicken with all that good stuff!

Then sprinkle it with that spice mix you prepared before and gently rub the chicken with all that good stuff!

Tips And Tricks:

• Remember these three crucial tips for tender, juicy chicken before you begin baking.
• Bring the chicken to room temperature: Cooking cold, straight from the fridge chicken is more likely to result in uneven cooking, with an overcooked outside and an undercooked inside. Allow it to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
• If you bake a 5-ounce chicken breast alongside an 8-ounce chicken breast, your smaller chicken breast will likely become rubbery by the time your larger one is done.
• Pound them to an even thickness: Because chicken breasts are naturally thicker on one end than the other, you can gently pound the thicker part of your chicken breast for a more even thickness, which translates to more even cooking.

How Long Should You Bake Chicken Breasts?

The key to juicy chicken breasts is to cook them hot at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for the appropriate amount of time. This will be determined by the size of your chicken breasts and your specific oven (remember, all ovens cook differently). Here’s a general rule to remember:

Cook for 18-20 minutes for small breasts (5oz).

Cook for 20-22 minutes for medium breasts (7oz).

Cook for 22-25 minutes for large breasts (9oz).

What Is The Optimum Internal Temperature?

At 165°F, chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat. But keep in mind that if you cook chicken breasts to 165°F in the oven, they will rise to around 170°F after resting. And believe me, this will result in dry, rubbery chicken that is devoid of moisture. When it comes to overcooking, dark meat chicken thighs are much more forgiving than white meat chicken breasts.

So that is what you must do. When the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 160°F, remove them from the oven. Allow them to rest for a few minutes after that. Because of carryover cooking, the chicken will naturally reach the ideal 165F temperature. You’ll also have succulent, juicy chicken breasts to eat. You’re very welcome!

Is this recipe suitable for other types of chicken?

The seasoning blend I use for this chicken recipe is simple and straightforward, utilizing spices that are commonly available. It’s my favorite mixture, and I use it in a variety of recipes. It’s delicious with boneless or bone-in breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks, and can be made in the oven, on the stovetop, or even on the grill! Simply rub the seasoning into the chicken and cook as directed.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be cooked at the same temperature as this recipe, but they may require an additional 5 minutes depending on size. Bone-in chicken will always take much longer to cook; at least an additional 20 minutes. Chicken tenders work well as well and should only take a few minutes to prepare.

Can you use thighs in this recipe?

Absolutely! This spice rub is delicious on all kinds of chicken cuts, adding a great flavor with hints of sweetness and smokiness. Just keep in mind that thighs will take longer to cook than breasts.

Can you make it ahead of time?

The beauty of this recipe is that it doesn’t require a long marinade time and is ready to bake right away. You can season the chicken ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. Leftovers can be enjoyed cold on salads and in sandwiches for up to 4 days, or reheated in the oven at 350F for 10 to 15 minutes to warm through.

Ways To Use Baked Chicken Breasts:

1. Cooked chicken breasts are not only nutritious, but also versatile. Here are a few suggestions!
2. Sides complete the plate. Serve the chicken with sautéed spinach and rice, or any other side dish of your choice.
3. Serve with a salad. Begin with leafy greens, then add freshly chopped veggies and chicken, and finish with a lemon vinaigrette.
4. Combine in a casserole. Fill your casserole with diced chicken breasts, rice, and extra veggies, then top with cheese.
5. Combine in a stir fry. Combine it with broccoli, carrots, bell pepper, and other vegetables in a stir fry.

what to serve with baked chicken?

This recipe has so many possibilities!

• Potatoes mashed
• Low-carb cauliflower mashed potatoes
• Salad with tomatoes
• Rice with black beans
• potatoes mashed

Leftovers Storage And Meal Prep:

Leftover chicken will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Ideal for snacking on throughout the week!
Save for later: Before freezing, slice, dice, or shred your chicken to make reheating easier. The chicken will keep in the freezer for several months.

Reheating tips: Chicken breasts can become dry when reheated the next day. So here’s a pro tip. Before reheating in the microwave, add a teaspoon or so of water to the top of your chicken and cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. It will steam slightly, allowing the chicken to absorb some of the moisture and come back to life!

How To Store Cooked Chicken Breast?

Cooked chicken breasts can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container. We enjoy using them for meal prep at the start of the week.

Wrap each chicken breast tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container to freeze. Chicken breasts can be frozen for up to 6 months.

How To Use Leftover Chicken?

1. Stuffed Avocado with Chicken Fajitas
2. Soup with Creamy Tuscan Chicken Tortellini
3. Skillet Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
4. Gyros with chicken
5. Pizza with Chicken Enchilada
6. Artichoke and Creamy Chicken Soup

Check My Other Chicken Recipes:

TUSCAN CHICKEN MAC AND CHEESE

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