Description
This Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken breasts with a flavorful spice rub, perfectly cooked in the oven for a healthy and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, 150 – 180g (5 – 6 oz) each
- 2 tsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 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 salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Garnish
- Finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or 200°C if using a fan-assisted oven, ensuring it’s hot enough for a quick bake that seals in juices.
- Flatten Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) thickness using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or your fist. This helps the chicken cook evenly and stay tender.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, dried oregano or thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create your flavorful seasoning mix.
- Prepare Baking Tray: Line a baking tray with foil and baking or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place the chicken breasts upside down on the tray, then drizzle about 1 teaspoon of olive oil over each. Rub the oil evenly over the surface and sprinkle the seasoning mix.
- Season Other Side: Flip the chicken breasts over, drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil, rub it in, and evenly sprinkle with the seasoning mix to cover as much surface area as possible.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken breasts in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the surface is golden and an internal meat thermometer reads 165°F (75°C) ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve: Remove chicken from the oven and immediately transfer to serving plates. Allow the chicken to rest for 3 to 5 minutes to retain moisture.
- Garnish & Enjoy: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve with your favorite sides like garlic butter rice and kale.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken is key for even cooking and tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee safe cooking temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Substitute herbs based on preference or availability.
- Letting the chicken rest before serving locks in the juices.
- For a low-sugar version, reduce or omit the brown sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: oven baked chicken breast, baked chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken breast, juicy chicken breast
