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    Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes » Baked Chicken Breasts

    Baked Chicken Breasts

    Published: Jan 18, 2019 · Modified: Sep 27, 2021 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    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.

    Baked Chicken breast on a white plate with rice and broccoli

    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.

    Baked Chicken breast on a white plate with rice and broccoli

    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.

    Baked Chicken breast on a white plate with rice and broccoli

    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)

    A white bowl with 2 uncooked Chicken breasts soaking in water

    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!

    Baked Chicken breast on a white plate with broccoli and rice as side dishes

    How to Use Baked Chicken Breasts

    Chicken Casserole

    Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole

    Chicken and Kale Salad

    Avocado Chicken Salad

    Cilantro Lime Chicken Soup

    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

    Italian Grilled Chicken

    Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders

    Balsamic Chicken with Vegetables 

    Cilantro Lime Chicken with Zucchini and Spinach

     

    Baked Chicken breast on a white plate with rice and broccoli

    Baked Chicken Breasts

    These Baked Chicken Breasts are the easiest recipe ever! They are perfectly seasoned with a few spices and oven baked to perfection.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 23 minutes
    Resting Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 28 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 216kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ 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

    Calories: 216kcal | Protein: 32g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 567mg | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.9mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected

    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

    closeup of baked chicken on a white plate with rice and broccoli

     

    Closeup of baked chicken breasts on a white plate with rice and broccoli with text overlay.

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    Filed Under: Chicken Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Main Dishes, Recipes

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    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

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