This is the most popular of all chicken breast recipes that I’ve ever published. It’s a JUICY Oven Baked Chicken Breast sprinkled with a magic simple seasoning, baked until caramelised. It’s simple, fast and incredibly tasty! This is a reader-favourite alongside Honey Garlic Chicken, this epic Parmesan Crusted Chicken and crispy Garlic Chicken.
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
A JUICY Baked Chicken Breast!
Though I always stand firm that brown meat is better than white – more flavour, more juiciness – lean chicken breast is a regular in my shopping trolley, week after week.
So today, I’m sharing my recipe for how I make Oven Baked Chicken Breast.
We can never have too many really great quick chicken breast recipes!
As simple as it sounds, if you whack a seasoned breast in the oven without thought, the chances are you’ll be chewing your way through dry chicken, furiously squirting over copious amounts of ketchup to try to salvage it.
It doesn’t need to be that way. Enter – a fabulous simple, magic chicken seasoning for baked chicken breast:
The Chicken Breast Seasoning
Made with just brown sugar, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper, the secret ingredient in this is brown sugar:
Makes more seasoning, so you can coat the breast thoroughly and give it a beautiful crust without overpowering it with lots of spices that need longer to cook than chicken breast does; and
Makes it juicy – the chicken sweat while it bakes, so you end up with wetness that makes the chicken more juicy than the usual baked chicken breast.
Yes it adds sweetness but don’t worry, this baked chicken breast is still savoury!
How long to cook chicken breast
A medium chicken breast will take 18 – 20 minutes to bake at 220C / 425F. Cooking it hard and fast at a high temperature is the secret to gorgeous caramelisation and ultra juicy chicken inside. No dried out breast around here!!
The seasoning for this chicken is actually a really great indicator for when the chicken is cooked to perfection. Basically, once the surface of the chicken is caramelised, it’s cooked to perfection inside so get it out of the oven!
My last tip for a truly great Baked Chicken Breast is to pound it to even thickness, either with a rolling pin, meat mallet or even with your fist (very therapeutic). This has the double effect of even cooking as well as tenderising the meat.
The secret behind this baked chicken is the simple, magic seasoning
Most popular of all chicken breast recipes!
This Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast is the single most popular of all chicken breast recipes I’ve ever shared.
But don’t believe me. Have a browse below of what others have to say!
Try serving this with a side of Garlic Butter Rice with Kale, pictured in post. One pot carb + veg side, with kale made delicious! Otherwise, try a flavoured Rice Side like Tomato Basil Rice or Mushroom Rice.
If you’re in the mood for potatoes, try this Lemon Potato Salad, a classic creamy Potato Salad or a lighter No-Mayo Red Potato Salad with Charred Corn and Bacon.
And for something fresh, Spring Salad or Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing would go with the chicken beautifully. Else, simply drizzle steamed greens or a garden salad with Italian Dressing, Balsamic or French Vinaigrette. – Nagi x
More chicken breast recipes readers love!
Honey Garlic Chicken Breast – Super easy, super delicious!
Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast – No breadcrumbs needed!
Chicken Kiev – A retro classic! Crumbed and fried chicken breast stuffed with oozing garlic butter …
Browse all chicken recipes
Baked Chicken Breast recipe
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Oven Baked Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts , 150 – 180g / 5 – 6 oz each (Note 1)
- 2 tsp olive oil
Seasoning:
- 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme , or other herb of choice
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
Garnish, optional:
- Finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C (200°C fan).
- Pound chicken to 1.5cm / 0.6″ at the thickest part – using a rolling pin, meat mallet or even your fist (key tip for even cooking + tender chicken).
- Mix Seasoning.
- Line tray with foil and baking / parchment paper. Place chicken upside down on tray. Drizzle chicken with about 1 tsp oil. Rub over with fingers. Sprinkle with Seasoning.
- Flip chicken. Drizzle with 1 tsp oil, rub with fingers, sprinkle with Seasoning, covering as much of the surface area as you can.
- Bake 18 minutes, or until surface is golden per photos and video, or internal temperature is 165°F/75°C using a meat thermometer.
- Remove from oven and immediately transfer chicken to serving plates.
- Wait 3 – 5 minutes before serving, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Pictured with a side of Garlic Butter Rice with Kale.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Recipe originally published March 2018. Updated for housekeeping matters in March 2019, no change to recipe.
* The story and details of the Handcrafted Japanese Knife giveaway that originally accompanied this recipe when published was moved into a separate post because the Giveaway has finished.
LIFE OF DOZER
It’s just hanging there, taunting him. He sniffs at it, suspiciously….
Can you do this with chicken breaths pieces because that’s all I have??
Yes
Awesome!
OMG! When I tell you this recipe is a “KEEPER!”, BELIEVE IT! SCRUMPTIOUS, MOIST and DIVINE are the first three adjectives that come to mind when describing what I experienced at first bite! Who knew a chicken breast could be so good!? Thank you times a million for this one! Please do share more of your delicious recipes!
Sincerely
That’s great Ms E! So pleased this was enjoyed – N x
Has anyone tried this without sugar? How was it without the sugar?
This is an amazing recipe! My family and I absolutely loved it and i was able to make it unique in my own way also!
That’s great Molly! So pleased this was enjoyed – N x
You are the best. Great recipe. I have never failed on any of the other recipes you post. Any time I want to make Ssomething I go straight to your site. Thanks a bunch.
My husband said this was the best chicken I had ever made. Very moist and even juicy. Great recipe! Thank you!
That’s so great to hear Susan! So pleased your husband enjoyed this so much! N x
Glad to have found this recipe! I added a pinch of cayenne pepper as my family like a little heat. And the chicken breasts weren’t dry, which is something I always seem to struggle with. Thank you. 🙂
Terrific to hear Teli!! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback – N x
I made this as a trial meal (5) chicken breats; with long green beans and rice. The juices were used as gravy over the rice . Needless to say, I had to make it again last night family sized, (12) chicken breasts; garlic mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts. This recipe is a hit with these finicky eaters and even my Air force son took a leftover platter to the base. Thanks again for sharing.
This recipe was delicious! We eat chicken often and needed something new and tasty that the whole family would like — this is it! Made a gravy out of the juices left in the pan…yummm!
Hi,
What did you do to make the gravy from the pan juices?
This recipe is brilliant. Uses things I already have in the kitchen so no pre planning of tons of ingredients needed. Simple and easy and tastes great!
Enjoyed very much with the addition on the plate, of some Blue Dragon Sweet chilli sauce,great.
Looking forward to trying more of your recipes. Many thanks
Glad you enjoyed this one Peter!! N x
Fast, easy and tasty! And celiac friendly 🙂 A new go-to. I had a variety of fresh herbs on hand and used whatever I grabbed. So good! Thanks!
You stated that you put olive oil and the seasonings on one side and then flipped them.
Do you only bake on the one side, not both?
THanks’
That’s terrific Isabel! So pleased you enjoyed this, thanks for letting me know! N x
One of the best recipes ive tried. So fast and so delicious. Thanks.
That’s terrific Isabel! So pleased you enjoyed this, thanks for letting me know! N x
Do you cover the chicken to put it in the oven or no?
No! Just put it in on a tray 🙂 N x
This has been a life saver! Thank you!
It is not easy cooking with a newborn, but this is quite easy and fast. Has been eating this daily for two weeks now 🙂
Absolutely delicious and SO fast and easy!
We loved this receipt! Simple and delicious!