Tender, flavorful, and juicy oven-baked chicken breasts are a reliable option for a quick weeknight dinner or for meal prep. Lightly seasoned and easy to prepare, this straightforward recipe delivers moist, satisfying chicken every time.
When life gets busy, having a few go-to chicken recipes on hand makes dinners easier. Oven-baked chicken breasts are especially versatile: cook a batch and use it for salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, or soups through the week. This recipe is quick to make and stores well for meal planning.
Why You’ll Love Oven Baked Chicken Breast
- Juicy and tender. Pounding the breasts to an even thickness and baking at a high temperature helps them cook evenly without drying out.
- Full of flavor. A simple spice blend—garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning—adds savory, aromatic flavor without fuss.
- So easy. No searing, marinating, or flipping required. Just season and bake for a fast, dependable result.
What You’ll Need
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper.
How to Cook Chicken Breast in the Oven
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish while the oven heats.
- Prepare the chicken. Pound each breast to an even thickness. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bake. Place the seasoned breasts in the prepared dish and bake 17–20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
- Rest and serve. Let the chicken rest 5–7 minutes after removing it from the oven so the juices redistribute. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Recipe Tips
- Pound the chicken. Even thickness—about 1 inch—promotes even cooking and tenderizes the meat. If you prefer to skip pounding, buy thin-cut chicken cutlets.
- Adjust seasonings. Customize the spice mix to taste. Lemon zest, fresh rosemary, or a pinch of cumin can change the flavor profile.
- Watch the temperature. Use an instant-read thermometer for accurate results; overcooking past 165°F can dry the chicken.
- Resting time. Allow the chicken to rest before slicing to retain juices for moist slices.
What to Serve With Chicken Breasts
Oven-baked chicken pairs well with many sides. Serve sliced chicken over salads, toss into pasta, layer in sandwiches, or pair with roasted potatoes and vegetables. It also works well with simple sides like steamed greens, a grain bowl, or a light soup for a balanced meal.
Storing Leftovers and Reheating
- To store. Keep cooled, cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 6 months.
- To reheat. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10–12 minutes until warmed through, or use the microwave for a faster option.
More Easy Chicken Recipes to Try
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
- Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi
- Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼–½ teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- cooking spray
- fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, and pepper.
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Place them in the baking dish and spray both sides with cooking spray.
- Season both sides of the chicken evenly with the spice mixture.
- Bake 17–20 minutes, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from the oven and let rest 5–7 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary based on ingredients and tools used.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating