Description
A reliable method for cooking juicy, tender chicken breasts in the oven using simple ingredients and temperature control, ensuring a perfect result every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon (1g) dried thyme
- 1.5 teaspoons (9g) kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (1g) freshly cracked black pepper
- Lemon (optional, for serving)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Remove chicken from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to take the chill off. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken breasts in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the chicken with your hands until evenly coated in the oil and spices.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Arrange chicken breasts on the pan, ensuring they do not touch or overlap.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes. Do not open the oven door during this time.
- Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. It should read 160°F (71°C) in the thickest part.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate or cutting board. Loosely tent with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Slice against the grain and serve immediately.
Notes
For even cooking, pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts with a rolling pin to make them uniform in thickness. Do not overcrowd the pan, as this causes steaming. Resting the chicken is crucial to retain juices. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (ap
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 42
Keywords: chicken breast, oven baked chicken, juicy chicken, weeknight dinner, meal prep, healthy dinner, easy chicken recipe