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!
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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….
What a wonderful give away! Thanks Nagi! I’d be thrilled to win.
In your next giveaway, I think you should award the winner a house on the Northen Beaches 😉😂
I wish!!
Anyway, I love your recipes. I’ve put on a few kilos and am purely blaming crack bread. So good.
I’ve been making my way through your recipes – can’t wait to do some baking tomorrow now that Sydney has cooled down a little.
Thanks again for the giveaway.
I thank you for all the work you’ve done on your website and for the Great recipes that keep my taste buds alive.Please keep the ideas flowing. I believe that knife would be quite an addition to my meager set of choppers.
Thanks
Hi Nagi, I would love and very much need your wonderful Japanese knife. Thank you and good luck to all. Vivienne
Nagi, recipe looks wonderful!!! Might try it tonight Great giveaway! Would love to win.
This recipe is going to be amazing when I serve it at my daughters fundraising dinner. It’s so delicious! Thank you for adding the convection oven temp. I would love to win the Knife. But regardless I will be looking at more of your recipes in the future.
Dear Nagi,
I will be honored to win this beautiful knife. I have been thinking and thinking about buying a good one, but those, I definitely cannot afford to buy.
Thank you for all your recipes, I love them!
I saw theses knives ( or maybe a similar store) when I was in Japan about ten years ago and learned when I got back I should have bought one!
I love, love, love your recipes and must confess to using at least one of your recipes every week.
Hello Nagi
I looove the look of that knife!! A good friend recommended your website to me when I was moaning about my weeknight meals all tasting so boring. They said “Hey, try this website, Everything I’ve done off there has been sooo yum!” It’s been a treasure trove! Charlie has taken up permanent residence in my fridge and we’re relishing in our nice healthy, easy stir frys. ( New knife, yes please :)) I’ve served up your Baked Parmesan Crusted Salmon to friends and family no less than 4 times and counting, everyone loves it and looks so fancy.(Little do they know how easy it is!!) Its fun comparing notes when they start trying your recipes. We have to eat to live, so let’s enjoy it!!
Oh how I would love to win this wonderful knife! My daughter has a Japanese knife she received as a wedding present and I adore it. Thanks for the chance to win one!
Hi Nagi, I love how you write up your recipes and the stories you have. Makes me feel like you are really talking to each and every one of your readers. And such yummy and easy recipes!! I would love the handcrafted Japanese knife as I have used one of my friend’s before and it was amazing! As you say, a good knife is so important in the kitchen. Thank you for your recipes!
Would definitely use that knife. Also, your recipes are always appetizing and I make several of them regularly. Tell your mom I appreciate her explanations of her recipes too!
Hi Nagi! Thanks for this recipe. Your mom stories make me smile. She went the distance for your readers bringing you the knife. I would love to win it!
Hi Nagi,
To be considered for your giveaway
would take my breath away,
Best of luck to all participants,
Picking a winner will be ridiculous!!
Thanks for opportunity to win your knife Nagi!
I love cooking your recipes Nagi! Especially anything Asian. Your stir fry sauce ‘charlie’ just has to be my favourite thing ever! To use a knife like this would make food prep such a breeze instead of the chore it is with my regular knife set…. They are so BLUNT!!!! I Would so love to win this prize. I love cooking with my now 18 year old son and know he would absolutely adore this knife for us to use! Fingers crossed!
Ps your chicken dish so amazingly moist and delicious!
Hi Nagi What a fabulous gesture to your followers! A knife like that would make any kitchen!
Your constant stream of wonderful recipes continues to intrigue me with all the special little tidbits you provide that teach so much. I thought your mango cheesecake recipe was very special for me here in South Africa as we have an abundance of great mangos at present.
As a dog lover I also enjoy news snippets of Dozer with the accompanying pictures. Kind Regards Priscilla
omg what a wonderful prize to go along with fabulous recipies I look forward to receiving new ones everyday they are just so tasty you are an angel Nagi
THIS … is a knife! And yes, I would love it and HAVE it sharpen it carefully and wash it with a non-abrasive cloth and store it in it’s beautiful box. I may even dedicate a draw solely to storing it. Does it have a name?
Apart from your lovely offer, I’ve always wanted to write and thank you for what you do. Your recipes are fantastic and so easily achievable (apart from the nachos – I have to work on that. You’re my ‘go to’ for something different for dinner and half the week’s staples.
Please keep doing what you do.
Regards, David
I love cooking your recipes Nagi! Especially anything Asian. Your stir fry sauce ‘charlie’ just has to be my favourite thing ever! To use a knife like this would make food prep such a breezeinstead if the chore it is with my regular knife set…. I Would so love to win this prize. I love cooking with my now 18 year old son and he would absolutely adore this knife for us to use! Fingers crossed!
Hi Nagi,
I live in a tiny apartment with a minuscule kitchen so everything in it has to be used regularly and be good at what it does. This knife looks like it would also be be beautiful in addition to meeting the criteria for having a place in my kitchen.
This chicken looks so juicy and delicious. I can’t wait to try it out.
Nagi what a wonderful prize. I would love to win it as I’m still using ones my Dad had and he has been gone for for 20 years now. By the way, we love your recipes.
I am tired of my old knives constantly getting dull, even when I try to keep them sharpened!! I would love to have a really good knife to use and to cherish ! Your are right, a great sharp knife is much safer to use.. Thanks, Rev. Jim