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….
Just put it in the oven! Can’t wait to taste it! So excited!
Fabulous 👏👏 I served it with Carrots & Broccoli.
I’m new to cooking so really appreciate your excellent instructions made it so so easy, really pleased I found your Site will definitely be trying other recipes, thank you. Patricia 😊
Hands down the best and easiest baked chicken breast recipe I have found. Delicious, moist and moreish! A winner with the whole family 🙏🏼
What can I use as a substitute for garlic powder?
Hi Nicole, if you have onion powder you can use that instead – N x
I volunteer at a local organisation and cook for many people in need. I made this for 230 guests this week (with minor adjustments) and got rave reviews for the crowd. so easy, so tasty
Delicious! A great compliment to a more intricate veggie side dish because this dish is easy and yummy!
Tried this recipe last night. My husband and I absolutely loved it. The flavor was delicious and the chicken perfectly moist. The flavors of the chicken worked really well with my ceaser salad. Saved the recipe and will be using it again. Thank you
This is by far the best chicken breast recipe ever!! I was thinking of making extra seasoning to have on hand, would it keep for awhile? In a dry place. Thanks
Hi Linda, yes it should keep as long as it’s in an airtight container 🙂 N x
Thank Nagi for your reply. Have nice day.
what type of brown sugar do i use? x
Just light brown sugar here Diya. N x
Can I use demerara sugar?
Hi Mary – You could but you’ll probably find the crystals don’t dissolve because they’re large. – Nx
Can I get the recipe for the rice and spinach that you have with the chicken?
Thanks
Hi Wael, I actually mention this in the post – Garlic Butter Rice with Kale 🙂 N x
First time banking chicken myself and this recipe was awesome! Thanks so much!
This has been my go to chicken recipe for a while now. Very little prep, simple ingredients and POW tasty! Everything in life should be this easy with such great results. Thank you!!!!
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for this wonderful healthy dish, quick and easy too. My son would have eaten thirds if I had made more.
Excellent. Used big chicken breasts and did it for 20 minutes. Used Italian seasoning rather than oregano. Just baked on a cookie sheet and perfect.
Can you make this in an air fryer
I am super excited about making this dish. I have a question about the oregano/thyme. I do not have oregano, I do have thyme ( but I don’t care for thyme honestly) . So, which would be the best substitute… dried basil or dried Italian seasoning? Thank you
Italian seasoning will be perfect, that has a little oregano and basil in it and will taste great! N x
Made this tonight to go with a spinach, feta, rice casserole (I opted for the dried oregano in the rub so it would have a Mediterranean-adjacent flavor). I used boneless, skinless thighs – this was the BEST chicken recipe I’ve tried! So juicy and flavorful with a delicious sweet-savory balance.
Your recipes are devine…every delicious dish is amazing! I wish you were on TV. Retired Teacher CathyDavis
Absolutely delicious and quick on a busy day with little time to cook!
Juicy and flavorful with a side of rice!
Super, excellent. Flavors were great. My son & I enjoyed.
This is absolutely the best! It was quick, easy, and delicious! I was looking for a new recipe for chicken and this was great! I switched out Splenda brown sugar as I am Type 1 Diabetic. Delicious! Thank you so much!