Oven Baked Chicken Breast
🍗 Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast
Tender, well-seasoned, and never dry—this baked chicken breast is perfect for meal prep, quick dinners, or slicing into salads and bowls.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–8 oz each)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika (optional for color/flavor)
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
- Lemon wedges & fresh parsley (optional garnish)
🔪 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
- Heat to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare Chicken
- Pat dry with paper towels.
- Pound to even thickness (about ¾ inch) between plastic wrap or in a resealable bag.
3. Season Chicken
- Rub all sides with olive oil.
- Mix seasonings in a bowl and sprinkle evenly over both sides.
4. Bake
- Arrange on the baking sheet without overlapping.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes (check at 20 minutes).
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Rest
- Remove from oven, loosely cover with foil, and let rest for 5–10 minutes.
6. Slice & Serve
- Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness.
- Serve as-is or add to pasta, salad, wraps, or bowls.
- Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley if desired.
✅ Quick Tips
- Even cooking: Pounding prevents overcooked edges and undercooked centers.
- Don’t skip the rest: It keeps the meat juicy.
- Flavor twist: Add Dijon mustard, lemon zest, or spice rubs for variation.
- Meal prep: Lasts 3–4 days in the fridge, perfect for batch cooking.