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Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Oven baked chicken breast is a culinary cornerstone, offering a healthy, versatile, and incredibly simple meal solution. This guide provides everything you need to master this essential cooking technique, ensuring moist, flavorful chicken every time.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 chicken breasts
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 6-8 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked, to your preference
  • Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Meat Mallet (optional)
  • Paper towels
  • Small Bowl
  • Shallow Dish or Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper or Foil
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. If your chicken breasts are very thick or uneven, you can pound them lightly to an even thickness. Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  3. In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a separate shallow dish or directly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil, drizzle the olive oil. Place the dried chicken breasts into the olive oil and coat them evenly on all sides.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika
  4. Generously sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika mixture over both sides of the coated chicken breasts. Gently press the seasonings into the chicken to ensure they stick. If using fresh herbs, sprinkle them over the top now. For added flavor, you can also place a lemon wedge or two on top of each chicken breast before baking.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, Fresh herbs, Lemon wedges
  5. Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they have a little space between them.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  6. Bake the chicken breasts for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  7. Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the oven. Tent them loosely with foil and let them rest for at least 5-10 minutes.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  8. Slice the rested Oven Baked Chicken Breast and serve immediately.
    2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Notes

This recipe yields moist and flavorful chicken. For best results, ensure chicken is patted dry and allowed to rest.