This is the all-time best Baked Chicken Breasts recipe ever! They are perfectly seasoned with a few spices and oven-baked to perfection.
It’s one of those recipes that you will find is your go-to for any dish that you need chicken breasts in. It’s great to use in salads, casseroles, and sandwiches but just as fabulous to eat alongside your favorite roasted vegetables and rice dish like this dirty brown rice or roasted potatoes.
I know this may not seem like a fancy recipe to be sharing with you, but sometimes it’s just nice to know how to bake juicy chicken breasts every time without worrying about them coming out dry and tough.
Chicken breasts are my favorite source of lean protein. I make them at least twice a week to have on hand for meal prepping.
I like to use Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper to season my chicken breasts. But I also love simple garlic powder, salt, and pepper a lot as well. Feel free to experiment with other spices as well. You can rub many others such as homemade taco seasoning or this greek seasoning.
How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts
The most important part of baking chicken breast is timing and temperature. Because they are naturally lean, overcooking them will easily make them turn out dry. Before I learned more, I used to cook them at 350 F. But learned that cooking at a higher temperature actually locks in the juices much better. Now I cook my chicken breasts at 400 degrees F.
And just as important is to let them rest for about 5-10 minutes after cooking to let those juices absorb into the meat even more.
The chicken breast needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. I recommend buying a meat thermometer if you don’t already own one. The one I have is ancient (I think it was my mothers) and I really need to buy one of the quick read thermometers. I don’t know why I don’t have one of those yet.
Cooking chicken breasts at 400 degrees F takes between 23-27 minutes depending on the thickness of the breasts.
If the chicken you are cooking is uneven in size, you can simply pound them down to be more equal in height.
How to Bake the Perfect Chicken Breasts
As I mentioned above, baking boneless chicken breasts is all about time and temperature but also a quick brine and a little resting at the end are very important as well.
Step 1 – Brine the chicken. Fill a bowl of water with slightly warm water. Stir in about a tablespoon of table salt. Add the chicken breasts and let them sit in the saltwater for at least 15 minutes. I usually do this while the oven is preheating but you can also cover it and place it in the refrigerator for longer (4-6 hours or so)
Step 2 – Place the chicken breasts in an oven-safe baking dish and pour olive oil or melted butter over top. Then toss to coat both sides. Then sprinkle the spices over.
Step 3 – Bake the chicken breasts for 23-27 minutes. Check with a meat thermometer that temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Step 4 – Let the chicken breast for at least 5-10 minutes. This is another crucial step for the juicy chicken you want. Cutting to quickly will release all the juices you want to stay inside. You can simply cover loosely with aluminum foil.
That’s it! Perfectly cooked chicken breasts!
How to Use Baked Chicken Breasts
Italian Chicken Zucchini Boats
How to Freeze/Store Chicken Breasts
After the chicken has been baked, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze in airtight freezer bags for up to 3 months.
More Easy Ways to Prepare Chicken
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken
Balsamic Chicken with Vegetables
Cilantro Lime Chicken with Zucchini and Spinach
Baked Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a bowl with warm water and add 2-3 tablespoons of salt.
- Place chicken in the brine and let sit for at least 15 minutes. (you can also cover and refrigerate for up to 4-5 hours)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Place chicken in a baking dish.
- Pour oil over top and turn to coat well.
- Sprinkle seasoning all over the top.
- Bake for 23-27 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken) until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. ( you can loosely cover with aluminum foil if desired).
- ENJOY!
- Store in an air tight container for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Video
Nutrition
Side Dish Recipe Ideas
Spinach, Asparagus, Tomato Salad or Balsamic Broccoli Slaw
Roasted Potatoes or Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Low Carb Cauliflower Rice or Roasted Cauliflower
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli or Roasted Green Beans
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