Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable)
Simple method for tender, flavorful chicken using basic seasonings and proper baking technique.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
→ Marinade Seasoning
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
08 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
09 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ Garnish Optional
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
11 - Lemon wedges
# Step-by-step:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place in large bowl or zip-top bag.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over chicken and toss to coat evenly.
04 - Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne in small bowl. Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly over both sides of chicken breasts and rub in well.
05 - Arrange chicken breasts in single layer on prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
06 - Bake 18-25 minutes depending on thickness until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
08 - Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The seasoning blend creates this incredible savory crust that locks in every drop of moisture
- You can get this into the oven in under ten minutes with ingredients already in your pantry
02 -
- I learned the hard way that skipping the meat thermometer step leads to either undercooked chicken or tragic dryness
- Letting the chicken rest is not optional, it's the difference between juicy and disappointing
03 -
- Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even results
- Sprinkle a little extra smoked paprika right at the end for a gorgeous color that makes it look like it came from a restaurant