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Not sure what to make with those chicken breasts you’ve got there? This baked chicken breast recipe is super simple, super delish, and comes out perfect every time. My husband and kids request this one every week and I’m happy to oblige. It’s going to be a regular in your weekly rotation too…I can feel it!

Best Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Pantry staples and fresh parsley come together with chicken breasts baked to juicy tenderness in your oven. With so little effort on your part and so much flavor, you’ll only wish you’d known about this recipe sooner!

Easy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Only a handful of ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen right now, 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking time. That’s why this is an easy baked chicken breast recipe you’ll want to hold onto forevermore. As easy as it is, it has so many complex flavors coming together that it tastes extravagant!

Baked Chicken Breast Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts – Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are perfect. You’ll want to cut each one in half to ensure they fully cook in the recipe time-frame.
  • Olive oil – A healthy fat that keeps your chicken from drying out.
  • Brown sugar – The secret sweetness that makes this dish so divine!
  • Chicken seasoning – Smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, plus salt and pepper to taste counter that sweet brown sugar.
  • Fresh parsley – One of the best ways to make a simple chicken dish taste like it came from a restaurant is the addition of fresh herbs like parsley!

How do you Make Baked Chicken Breast from Scratch

Baking is one of the best ways to cook chicken breast. After preheating your oven to 400F, you’ll mix the seasonings together. Add your chicken onto a lined baking sheet and drizzle it with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning on then repeat for the other side. Then bake it! That’s it!

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Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Baked Chicken Breast Every Time

  • Use olive oil. Adding this healthy fat to your chicken breasts keeps the moisture inside. It also adheres those spices to the meat.
  • Simple seasonings add big flavors. The seasonings I use here are essential in making your perfect baked chicken breasts.
  • Don’t go lower than 400F. The problem most people run into with baking chicken breasts is that they turn down the heat. However, a higher temperature cooks the meat more quickly while allowing it to hold onto more moisture. When cooking chicken breast, make sure your chicken breast temperature reaches the FDA recommended 165F internally.

How to Cook Baked Chicken Breast

To make oven roasted chicken breast, all you need to do is halve the chicken breasts, coat them with olive oil and seasonings on both sides, and bake them in an oven at 400F. Following this recipe for cooking chicken breast in the oven will give you that juicy texture and plenty of flavor that will bring out all those Mmmms!

What is the healthiest way to cook boneless skinless chicken breast?

Baking is one of the healthiest ways to prepare chicken breast. However, make sure you’re preheating to 400F. When cooking chicken in the oven, anything lower than 400F will take longer to cook and can dry out the meat in the process.

How do you make chicken breast taste good?

Adding brown sugar, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper make for a delicious chicken breast with minimal effort.

What can I add to chicken breast for flavor?

Simple seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano all add a special flavor. My trick is to use brown sugar and olive oil too, along with salt and pepper, to give it more dimension. Of course, the parsley to finish it off with is the piece de resistance!

How do you keep baked chicken moist?

The secret to moist baked boneless chicken breast is in using olive oil and cooking at a higher temperature. Most baked chicken recipes set the temperature below 400F which dries out the meat.

How do I bake chicken breast without drying it out?

Use olive oil! This healthy fat adds Mediterranean flavor plus it keeps the meat moist and tender.

How do I bake boneless chicken breast without drying it out?

The first step is turning your oven up to 400F. Too low a temperature and your chicken breast will become dry and tough. You also want to use olive oil which locks in the moisture.

How do you bake chicken so it’s tender?

The secret is halving the breasts so they are thinner. Keep them even in thickness, bake at 400F and use olive oil, and you will have tender baked chicken.

What do you soak chicken breast in to make it tender?

Some people soak their chicken breasts in salt water for 30 minutes to make it tender. This will work, though for this recipe, simply use olive oil and a higher oven temperature will yield tender and juicy results.

How do you keep chicken breast moist when roasting?

Again, the secret here is olive oil. Not only is it a healthy fat but it’s also the best way to get the best moist chicken breast from your oven.

Do you cook chicken breast in the oven covered or uncovered?

This recipe doesn’t call for covering the chicken breast though there is nothing wrong with cooking it covered. Because it’s a quick recipe, there is no need to cover up the chicken.

Should I cover chicken breast when baking in the oven?

You certainly can cover it with foil though in this recipe, it’s not necessary. Because the chicken is halved and coated with olive oil, it will cook just fine without foil.

Should I cover chicken breast with foil when roasting?

Not with this recipe. You’re not cooking the chicken long enough. With this baked chicken breast, all you need to do is coat it with olive oil and seasonings then bake at 400F for 15 to 18 minutes.

What is the best temperature to bake chicken at?

I use 400F as the cooking temperature in this recipe. I’ve found this to be the perfect cooking chicken temperature to reach the recommended internal cooked chicken temp of 145F without drying it out.

How long do I cook chicken breast for in the oven?

At 400F (perfect chicken breast temp), you will cook your chicken breast for 15 to 18 minutes. Because they are halved, they will cook perfectly at this temperature for this duration.

How Long to Bake Chicken Breast

At 400F, you will want to bake your chicken breast in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of cooked chicken is 165F so you can rest assured it’s cooked properly.

How long to bake chicken breast at 350F?

At 350°F a 8 oz chicken breast will take about 25 to 30 minutes for the chicken internal temp to reach 165°F (as per the FDA safe chicken consumption guidelines).

How long to bake chicken breast at 375F?

At 375°F a 8 oz chicken breast will take about 20 to 25 minutes for the chicken internal temp to reach 165°F (as per the FDA safe chicken consumption guidelines).

How long to bake chicken breast at 400F?

At 400°F a 8 oz chicken breast will take about 15 to 20 minutes for the chicken internal temp to reach 165°F (as per the FDA safe chicken consumption guidelines).

How long to bake chicken breast at 425F?

At 425°F a 8 oz chicken breast will take about 12 to 18 minutes for the chicken internal temp to reach 165°F (as per the FDA safe chicken consumption guidelines).

How long to bake chicken breast at 450F?

At 450°F a 8 oz chicken breast will take about 10 to 15 minutes for the chicken internal temp to reach 165°F (as per the FDA safe chicken consumption guidelines).

What goes well with Baked Chicken Breast?

Potatoes are always a match with roasted chicken breast. Roasted, mashed, or skillet-fried, they make a perfect side. We also love sautéed spinach, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts. A crispy garden salad or Caesar salad pairs wonderfully too. Want carbs? Dinner rolls, buttered noodles, rice, or quinoa will round out the meal.

How to Store Baked Chicken Breast

Baked chicken breast needs to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

How Long Does Baked Chicken Breast Last?

You can safely keep your baked chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can You Freeze Baked Chicken Breast?

Yes! I love making extra to freeze for meal prep. Just seal it well in a freezer bag or airtight container. It helps to portion it out too. Chicken breast lasts a while in the freezer, up to 9 months, but it is better if you eat it within 6 months.

How to Reheat Baked Chicken Breast?

Thaw your baked chicken breast out in the fridge the night before. Then when you’re ready to heat it, let it come to room temperature first. Bake it at 400F for 15 minutes and it will be good!


Watch How To Make Chicken Breast (Video)

Classic Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 316
Lean, mean, and delicious! This oven baked chicken breast recipe is healthy and packed with flavor. Serve with any of your favorite side dishes for a healthy meal.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts (halved)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper
  • fresh parsley (chopped as garnish)

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Then, in a small bowl, mix the seasoning together. Place chicken on the tray, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning, flip the chicken over and coat the other side.
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove from oven, garnish with parsley, and wait 3-5 minutes before serving.
Calories: 316kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 872mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 446IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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Author Megan Miller

I’m a mom of two, food and wine lover, and recipe creation enthusiast. Good food brings families together. Which is why I’m devoted to sharing my best recipes that are simple enough for even the beginner cook that your family will love!

1 Comment


  1. Found your site and this recipe purely by chance. I’ve sliced the breasts up because of a 4 year old and added a small amount of spinach as it was in the fridge. Great recipe!

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