I’ve already shared a recipe for whole roasted chicken with vegetables. Now it’s the turn of this super simple and versatile method for how to cook chicken breast in the oven. Luckily, learning the best way to cook chicken breast in the oven is super simple. However, while incredibly versatile, when cooked incorrectly, oven baked chicken breast can become rubbery, tough, dry, and frankly just tasteless and yucky (yes, that’s the professional term!).
How to bake chicken breast
Stary by preheating the oven to 425ºF/220ºC (or 400ºF/200ºC fan-assisted).
Chicken breasts: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can use skin-on chicken if preferred. If using frozen chicken, ensure they’re fully defrosted first and choose breasts similar in size to cook evenly. Oil or butter: I like to use melter butter but olive oil would also work. This fat helps the seasonings to stick to the meat and locks in juices within the oven chicken breast. Seasoning: garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt (optional), and pepper. For spice, add chili powder/cayenne powder. Brown sugar: To caramelize and make for a juicer chicken. Other types of sugar will work too.
Pound the Chicken Breasts: Place the chicken in a large Ziplock bag. Using a meat mallet (or a potato masher or rolling pin), gently tenderize the chicken and even out the pieces of chicken, so they’re even in thickness (around 0.75 inches). Season Them: In a small bowl, combine all the spices, brown sugar, and melted butter or oil, and stir well. Then, either pour the marinade into the bag to cover the breasts or rub each piece liberally before transferring it to a baking dish. Bake Chicken Breast: Bake the chicken for around 15-18 minutes at 425ºF/220ºC (or 400ºF/200ºC fan-assisted). Optionally, turn on the broiler for a few minutes at the end to brown the top more. The exact time will depend on your oven the the size of the chicken breasts – larger pieces (10oz+/285g+) will need to cook around 20-25 minutes. Check how long to bake chicken breast for more tips. Check for doneness: To ensure the chicken is properly cooked, use a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature must reach 165ºF/75ºC to be safe to eat. Alternatively, use a fork to pierce the chicken – any juices should run clear and the meat should be easy to separate/shred. Finally, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-8 minutes, loosely covered with foil. This will allow the juices to resettle for the juiciest oven-baked chicken.
What to serve with baked chicken
This oven baked chicken breast is the ultimate all-purpose protein to complete all kinds of meals, warm or chilled. Here are some suggestions for what to eat with chicken breast.
Vegetables: You can pair all sorts of veggies: roasted corn, broccoli, or cauliflower. Potatoes: Fries or potato wedges (including sweet potato fries) or mashed potatoes (or mashed sweet potato). Rice or Quinoa – it is perfect with fried rice recipes. Pasta: Like this Pasta Aglio e Olio, Pasta al Limone, or a cold pasta salad. Salads: Enjoy either alongside a side salad or cold within salads. In wraps or sandwiches. Shred it into tacos and burritos. Turn it into a chicken crust pizza.
If you try this recipe for oven baked chicken breast, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
