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This baked chicken breast recipe makes the best baked chicken! Simple 3-step method and 3 ingredients for the most juicy, tender, and delicious baked chicken breasts.

One of my family’s favorite dinner recipes is baked chicken breast. It is a weeknight go-to at my house. Served with a baked potato, vegetables, or with our house salad, it is a staple. I also love to meal prep by keeping a few pieces of baked chicken breast in the fridge throughout the week for a quick lunch or to use in my husband’s favorite chicken salad with grapes or our hot chicken salad.

Photo of baked chicken breast on a white plate.
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The Best Baked Chicken Breast

As much as I love chicken, when it’s tough and dry, it’s not the most appetizing. I tested and tested to refine this recipe to make the juiciest, most flavorful and best chicken that the whole family will love!

Now, my baked chicken breast recipe is tender, juicy, and absolutely scrumptious! And from the many requests I get for recipes using chicken breasts, I knew you would enjoy it too. 

It is a simple, classic chicken dinner recipe that makes the perfect healthy comfort food. 

No brining needed!

How to Make Juicy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Ingredients used to make the best baked chicken recipe.

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

To make the most delicious baked chicken, you’ll need 3 ingredients!

  • Chicken – this recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If your chicken is frozen, it is best to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight until it is fully thawed. 
  • Olive oiluse your favorite olive oil to drizzle into the pan and drizzle on top of the chicken. If you do not have olive oil, you can also use an equal amount of butter. 
  • Seasonings – I prefer to use my homemade seasoning of Stone House Seasoning. It is simply a blend of kosher salt, black pepper, and granulated garlic. At the very basic, I recommend using salt and black pepper. Still, you can also season with Italian SeasoningRanch Seasoning, or even Taco Seasoning, depending on how you plan to use your oven-baked chicken breast in recipes. Some people also like to use paprika, onion powder, oregano, parmesan and parsley, and even brown sugar. Feel free to season your chicken to suit your personal tastes! We also love them brushed with a delicious bbq sauce!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat. Preheat the oven to 450º F. Arrange the oven rack to the middle position.

Photo of chicken breasts ready to be baked in the oven.

Prep. While the oven is preheating, pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel. I drizzle a little olive oil into my skillet (if I’m making a few), 9×13 baking dish (if I’m making a medium batch), or baking sheet  (if I’m making a larger batch). Arrange the chicken in the pan, allowing it to touch but not overlap. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil, and then sprinkle liberally with your seasoning of choice (salt and pepper as a minimum). Then, place it in the oven.

Photo of baked chicken breasts in a white baking dish on a white surface.

Cook. Bake chicken breasts until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the chicken is pricked with a sharp knife, and the internal temperature registers 160º F with a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer, about 20 minutes. The time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts. 

Photo of baked chicken on a white platter.

Rest. Remove the skillet or casserole dish from the oven, tent it with foil, and let the chicken rest for another 5 minutes. This makes for a tender delicious chicken breast every single time!

How to Bake Bone-in Chicken Breast

To make this recipe with bone-in chicken, you’ll follow the same instructions as you would for boneless (with one special tip!). The cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your chicken.

Here’s the tip! As your chicken rests, flip it onto the breast side. When ready to serve, flip it back over onto the bone-in side. This will allow the juices to gather in the breast portion and give you the juiciest chicken!

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions

To make ahead. Allow to cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To freeze. Allow it to cool completely and then place it into a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat and serve.

Some Favorite Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Breast

Photo of cooked chicken breast on a white plate with bite of chicken on a fork.

Here’s the recipe for my easy Baked Chicken Breast recipe. I think you are going to love it as much as my family does!

5 from 27 votes

Best Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

Dinner 25 mins

Photo of baked chicken breast on a white plate.
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Servings 6
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Author Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
This easy baked chicken breast recipe makes the best baked chicken! An easy 3-ingredient recipe for tender delicious baked chicken breasts.

Ingredients  

  • olive oil or butter
  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon Stone House Seasoning or your favorite seasoning

Instructions 

  • Preheat. Preheat the oven to 450º F. Arrange the oven rack to the middle position. 
  • Prep. Pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel. Drizzle a little olive oil into my skillet (if I’m making a few), 9×13 baking dish (if I’m making a medium batch), or sheet pan (if I’m making a larger batch). Arrange the chicken in the pan, allowing it to touch but not overlap. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil and then sprinkle liberally with your seasoning of choice (salt and pepper as a minimum). Then, place into the oven.
  • Cook. Bake chicken breasts until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the chicken is pricked with a sharp knife and the internal temperature registers 160º F with a meat thermometer or instant read thermometer, about 20 minutes. The time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts. 
  • Rest. Remove the skillet or casserole dish from the oven, tent it with foil and let the chicken rest for another 5 minutes. Serve.

Video

Notes

Additional baking time may be needed depending on the thickness of the chicken breast.
To make ahead. Allow to cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To freeze. Allow it to cool completely and then place it into a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat and serve.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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Robyn xo

Chicken Recipes

Robyn Stone

Robyn Stone is a wife, mom, blogger, recipe developer, and cookbook author. Welcome to Add a Pinch where I share thousands of delicious, tested and perfected easy recipes that the whole family will love.

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Recipe Review




Comments

  1. I found this recipe in my recipe box buried. I made this for dinner tonight. I had forgotten how easy, juicy and delicious the chicken had turned out , family enjoyed eating juicy chicken, I used Mrs. Dash seasonings with canola oil. Chicken recipe will be on dinner rotation, Thank you for this recipe.

  2. 5 stars
    Oh my word! The moistest chicken breasts I have ever made. Added my seasoning to taste, but followed exactly otherwise. Took suggested added time for larger home cut breasts. A keeper recipe.Thank you

  3. This my new go-to way to cook chicken! I can’t believe how moist it is. I don’t put salt on it because I have high blood pressure, but it is so flavorful with garlic powder, onion powder, and dried sage.

  4. 5 stars
    This is my go-to recipe for any cooked chicken recipe. I don’t like rotisserie – grocery chicken. This is fantastic.

  5. I have not made it yet, but I would like to know, what is the yellow spice or whatever that I see sprinkled o the Chicken Breasts? it looks like grated lemon???? Thanks

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