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The best baked chicken breast is simple with this easy recipe! Ready in less than 30 minutes, it’s perfect for chicken recipes and easy to make ahead too! No brining needed!
If there is one thing that I make often for my family, it is chicken. This is a weeknight dinner favorite at my house and a main dish that I can always depend on my family loving. And I have a quick and easy secret way of baking chicken so that turns out delicious and juicy every time.
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, flavorful 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 – from chicken salad to chicken enchiladas – I knew you would enjoy it too.
It is a simple, classic chicken dinner that makes the perfect healthy comfort food.
No brining needed!
How to Make Juicy Baked Chicken Breast
To make the the most delicious baked chicken, you’ll just need 3 ingredients!
Ingredients
- Chicken – this recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If your chicken is frozen, it is best to allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight until it is fully thawed.
- Olive oil– use your favorite olive oil to drizzle into the pan as well as to 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, but you can also season with Italian Seasoning, Ranch 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 homemade bbq sauce!
Step by Step Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat the oven to 450º F. Arrange the oven rack to the middle position.
- 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 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. This makes for a tender a delicious chicken breast every single time!
- Serve. Place chicken on serving dish and serve warm.
No longer eat dried out chicken when you can easily make the best tender, juicy chicken that everyone raves over!
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!
Can You Freeze Baked Chicken?
Yes! Simply 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
Here’s the recipe for my Simple Baked Chicken Breast Recipe. I think you are going to love it as much as my family does!
Best Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
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. Place on serving dish and serve warm.
Notes
Allow baked chicken breast to cool and then store in sealable freezer bags in the refrigerator for up to a week and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutritional Information
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
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.
I am loving your recipes and bought your cookbook. Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much, Kay. I hope you enjoy the cookbook.
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
Thanks so much, Di! I’m happy you loved this recipe.
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.
Adrien, thanks. I’m so glad you enjoy this chicken recipe.
This is my go-to recipe for any cooked chicken recipe. I don’t like rotisserie – grocery chicken. This is fantastic.
Thanks, Anne. I use this chicken for so many different dishes, too.