This recipe for oven-baked chicken breasts will transform your life if you’re sick of dry, boring chicken breasts.

This recipe for oven-baked chicken breasts will transform your life if you’re sick of dry, boring chicken breasts. You can make juicy, tasty chicken breasts right in your oven with just a few basic techniques and tactics. This recipe will always give you great results, whether you’re making a short weeknight meal or cooking a lot of food for meal prep. Read on for everything you need to know to make the best chicken breasts, as well as advice on how to serve them, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to frequently asked questions.

This Recipe

What is chicken breast that has been baked in the oven?

Oven Baked Chicken Breast is a healthy and easy way to cook chicken breasts by baking them in the oven at a set temperature. This way, the chicken cooks evenly, keeps the moisture in, and gets a nice golden crust on the exterior. With the correct spices, it can be the main dish or a protein that goes well with salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls. It’s a dish that both busy weeknights and people who like to plan meals may use.

You only need a few things to make juicy and tasty oven-baked chicken breast:

Four chicken breasts without bones or skin (approximately 6 to 8 ounces each)
2 teaspoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of paprika (smoked paprika for more taste if you want)
1 teaspoon of dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
½ teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Lemon slices (optional, for decoration)
Fresh parsley or cilantro (optional, for decoration)

You don’t have to do this step, but marinating your chicken breasts can add flavor and help keep them soft. You may make this easy marinade:

1/4 cup of olive oil
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of soy sauce for the umami flavor
1 tablespoon of honey (or maple syrup for sweetness)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon black pepper and 1 clove of garlic, minced

Here’s how to cook chicken breasts in the oven so that they are perfectly done:

Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat up. This is the best temperature for cooking chicken breasts uniformly and giving them a lovely golden color on the outside.
Get the chicken breasts ready: Use paper towels to dry the chicken breasts. It’s important to dry the chicken first so that it gets a lovely sear when you bake it and doesn’t get soggy. Put two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper on top of the chicken breasts and pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are all the same thickness. This makes sure that everything cooks evenly.
To season the chicken, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Make sure the chicken breasts are evenly coated with the seasoning blend by rubbing this mixture all over both sides of them.

Put the chicken in the oven: Put the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking dish. Make sure there is space between the chicken breasts so that they cook evenly. Put the chicken in the oven that has already been heated and bake it for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the inside temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let the Chicken Rest: After the chicken is done cooking, take it out of the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. This step is really important because it lets the liquids move around, which keeps the chicken juicy and soft when you cut it.
Garnish and Serve: If you want to add more color and brightness, you can top the chicken breasts with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley or cilantro.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Chicken Breast in the Oven

The best temperature for delicious chicken breasts is 400°F.
Dry and pound the chicken to make sure it is all the same thickness and texture.
Use a lot of your preferred spices and oil to season.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the inside temperature reaches 165°F.
Rest for five minutes: This procedure keeps the moisture in before cutting.

Changes and substitutions

This simple recipe for Oven Baked Chicken Breast is quite flexible, so you can change it up in many ways. Here are several ways to make it more your style:

You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Thighs are juicier because they have more fat, although they could take a little longer to bake.
Add a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to make it spicy. Chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or jerk seasoning can also be used to add distinct flavors.
Instead of dried oregano, you might use dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning mixes.
Different Marinades: You can use balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice in the marinade, or you can add fresh herbs like basil or cilantro to make the flavors stronger.
This dish is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, but you should always check your seasoning blends and marinades to make sure they don’t have any hidden gluten or dairy.

How to Make Oven-Baked Chicken Breast

Use a meat thermometer: Always use an instant-read thermometer to make sure you don’t overcook or undercook your food. The thickest section of the chicken should be 165°F.
You may bake the chicken breasts ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for up to four days. They taste great when reheated and can be used in many different ways.
Make the recipe twice and use the baked chicken breasts to make meals for the week. They are great for quick stir-fries, wraps, and sandwiches.
Add a Brine: If you have some additional time, brining your chicken breasts in a mix of water and salt for 30 minutes to an hour can make the flesh even juicier.

Things You Shouldn’t Do

To get the greatest outcomes, don’t make these typical mistakes:

Not Pounding: Chicken breasts are typically unequal in thickness, which means that the thinner sections cook too much and the thicker parts don’t cook enough. Pounding makes sure that everything cooks evenly.
Not Letting the Chicken Rest: If you cut into the chicken shortly after it comes out of the oven, all the juices will run out, making the meat dry. It should always rest for at least five minutes.
Overcooking the chicken: Chicken breasts are lean and can dry up rapidly if you cook them too long. Check for doneness (165°F) with an instant-read thermometer.
Not Enough Seasoning: Chicken breasts can taste bland if you don’t add enough seasoning. Don’t be scared to use a lot of herbs and spices.

How to Serve and Present

You can serve oven-baked chicken breasts in a lot of different ways since they are so flexible. Here are some recommendations for serving and presenting your dinner that can make it even better:

Serve with a Side of Vegetables: For a nutritious and balanced supper, serve the chicken breasts with roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans.
Put in a grain: Serve the chicken with rice, quinoa, or couscous to mop up the juices or sauces.
Add Sauce: A quick pan sauce, pesto, or chimichurri on top will give it more flavor. Gravy or a creamy garlic sauce are also good choices to serve with it.
Oven-baked chicken breast is great for slicing and adding to salads for a healthy lunch or dinner. You might have it with a grain bowl, mixed greens, or Caesar salad.

How to Serve Chicken Breast Baked in the Oven

After the chicken breasts have been roasted and rested, cut them against the grain to make them as tender as possible. Serve with your choice of sides, and don’t forget to add any leftover pan juices or a squeeze of fresh lemon for added flavor.

Ideas for serving oven-baked chicken breast

Rustic Platter: For a family-style lunch, put the whole chicken breasts on a wooden board or platter with some roasted veggies on the side.
For a more formal supper, cut the chicken breast into slices and fan them out on a platter. Add herbs, lemon slices, and a drizzle of sauce or olive oil.
Colorful Salad: Put sliced baked chicken on top of a salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette.

Questions That Come Up Often (FAQs)

Q: How long should I cook chicken breasts at 400°F?: A: Bake chicken breasts at 400°F for 18 to 22 minutes. The exact time will depend on how thick and big the chicken breasts are. Use a thermometer to verify for doneness (165°F inside).
Q: Is it possible to roast frozen chicken breasts?: A: Yes, you can bake frozen chicken breasts, but they will take longer to cook. If you want to make sure the food reaches 165°F, add around 50% more time to the cooking time.
Q: What should I do with leftover chicken?: A: You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to four days if you store them in an airtight container. You may also freeze cooked chicken breasts for up to three months.
Q: What do I do to warm up roasted chicken breasts?: A: To reheat it up, put it in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes. You may also microwave them, but be careful not to let them get too dry.

The end

Oven-baked chicken breasts are a tasty, healthful, and easy choice for any meal. You can make chicken that is always juicy and tasty with only a few simple ingredients and methods. This recipe is so flexible that you’ll want to make it often. You can use it as a main dish, cut it up for salads, or use it in sandwiches. Give it a try today and enjoy a lunch that everyone in the family will adore!