chicken breast recipes

Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

This recipe guarantees juicy, flavorful chicken breasts with a golden crust. A touch of brown sugar in the seasoning helps create a light, flavorful sauce as the chicken bakes. Cooking quickly at a high temperature ensures tender, perfectly cooked chicken every time.

Servings: 4
Total Time: 30 minutes
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Dish
Keyword: Oven Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

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Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, 150–180g (5–6 oz) each (see Note)
• 2 tsp olive oil

Seasoning

• 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme (or herb of choice)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley, finely chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Set the oven to 425°F (220°C) or 200°C for fan-forced.

2. Prepare the Chicken
Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness of about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) at the thickest part. Use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or your fist for even cooking and tenderness.

3. Make the Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

4. Prepare the Baking Tray
Line a baking tray with foil and parchment paper. Place the chicken breasts on the tray with the smooth side down. Drizzle 1 tsp of olive oil over the chicken and rub it in with your fingers. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mixture over the chicken and rub to coat.

5. Season the Other Side
Flip the chicken breasts over, drizzle with another 1 tsp of olive oil, and rub in. Sprinkle the remaining seasoning, ensuring as much coverage as possible for full flavor.

6. Bake the Chicken
Bake in the preheated oven for about 18 minutes, or until the surface is golden and a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

7. Rest and Serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to serving plates. Allow the chicken to rest for 3–5 minutes before serving, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve with Garlic Butter Rice with Kale or your favorite side dish.

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Notes

1. Chicken Breast Size: For larger chicken breasts (over 250g/8 oz each), slice in half horizontally to create thinner pieces and skip pounding. Ensure each piece is no thicker than 1.5 cm (0.6 inches).
2. Using Chicken Thighs: This recipe works well with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Bake for 25 minutes for small/medium thighs and about 30 minutes for larger ones.

Enjoy this simple yet flavorful oven-baked chicken, perfect for a comforting, weeknight meal!