Baked Chicken Breast is easy, juicy and ready with 5 minutes of prep. This simple chicken breast recipe will become your go-to! You will be surprised that juicy chicken breast is baked uncovered. 🙂
Our other go-to chicken breast recipes are Instant Pot chicken breast, grilled chicken breast and air fryer chicken breast. Also browse over 65 the best chicken recipes on iFOODreal.
Table of contents
Baked chicken breast. It’s no secret chicken is America’s most popular meat and chicken breast is the most sold cut of chicken. There is “a rumor in town” that unlike baked chicken thighs, roasted chicken breasts come out dry. And it is sort of true.
So, I will show you the best way how to bake healthy, juicy and flavorful chicken breast in the oven. With simple spices and no marinating, it will become one of healthy dinner recipes you will make over and over.
Need more help meal planning? Check out iFOODreal healthy meal plans.
Why This Recipe Works
- Juiciest chicken breast ever thanks to our optimal tried and tested oven temperature and cooking method.
- No pounding or brining required makes this quick weeknight dinner or weekend meal prep recipe.
- Only 5 simple spices including salt and pepper make this such an easy chicken breast recipe.
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Breast
I’m from Ukraine where 30 traditional dishes like beef stew and borscht are made with same 15 ingredients. I’m a strong believer in simple cooking. 🙂
- Smoked paprika: There is a big difference between regular and smoked paprika – the smoky flavor. You can use regular paprika but the breast wouldn’t be the same. Find smoked paprika in a supermarket near you, stock up and use up. It is my secret to a flavorful vegetable soup.
- Dried oregano, basil, rosemary or Italian seasoning: You can use either. I used oregano. Need more options? Check out 5 easy chicken marinades to add some variety to your baked chicken rotation.
- Garlic powder, salt and pepper: Also you can use grated clove of fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. If you love garlic like me and have time.
- Olive or avocado oil: It helps to lock in juices and seasonings stick.
How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts?
For most juicy chicken breasts, it is important to bake them at 450 degrees F and uncovered. Also thickness of chicken breasts and your individual oven will dictate cooking time. Below are general guidelines:
- Under 2 inches thick breasts: Bake for 25 minutes.
- Over 2 inches thick breasts: Bake for 30-35 minutes. Covering chicken breast during baking will result in “boiled” like chicken.
Pro Tip: Ovens do really vary based on age, manufacturer and type. Also convection oven method will cook chicken about 3-5 minutes faster, so adjust time accordingly. Newer ovens come as convection only ovens, so check your manual or settings.
What Is the Best Internal Temperature?
When is chicken ready? When instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of meat reads 150 degrees F, it is time to remove chicken breasts from the oven and let them rest under cover. Do not over bake in the oven because chicken will keep cooking with residual heat while resting.
When is chicken safe to eat? As per food safety guidelines, any poultry is safe to consume when internal read thermometer reads 165 degrees F. This temperature is hot enough to kill harmful bacteria that causes food poisoning. If you cook a lot of meat, investing in simple and efficient food thermometer is a great idea!
How to Bake Chicken Breasts in the Oven
This recipe is very easy and quick, that’s why it’s our go-to along with this chicken breast in tomato sauce recipe.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F: Depending on the oven, it should take about 15-20 minutes. Get it going before any prep.
- Season chicken breasts: Drizzle meat with oil, sprinkle with spices and toss around right in baking dish. There is no need for mixing seasoning in a separate bowl.
- Bake uncovered: For 25 minutes to 35 minutes depending on the thickness. Make sure not to cover chicken breast during baking because it will result in “boiled” like chicken.
- Let it rest covered for 10 mins: This is when meat will reach internal temperature of 165 degrees F and become juicy.
- Slice against the grain: After resting, slice against the grain. Not lengthwise but crosswise. The way that makes short slices. Watch video below for help.
More Tips for Juicy Chicken Breast
- Choose similar size chicken breasts: If you bake 5 oz chicken breast at same time as 9 oz chicken breast, I can guarantee you the smaller piece will come out rubbery and dry by the time larger one is ready.
- Let them rest: Letting chicken rest while covered allows its juices to distribute evenly throughout the meat. This is one of most important steps to juicy chicken breast.
- Follow the recipe: As tempting as it might be to use lower oven temperature, know that baking chicken breast at 350 F or even 400 F will steam it rather than bake. And produce dry meat which we try to avoid.
FAQs
Yes. Follow instructions above and add extra 5-10 minutes to baking time. It is a loose recommendation and depending on thickness, make sure to check with meat thermometer for 150 degrees F internal temperature. Or follow Instant Pot frozen chicken breast recipe instead.
I used 2 lbs or 3 large chicken breasts. There are 8 servings. 1 serving is 1/2 cup and it contains 151 calories. Please note nutritional information is estimated to serve as a guideline only and is located in the recipe card below.
Yes. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F and bake for 10 minutes on one side, flip and cook for another 8 minutes or so (depending on thickness) and until internal temperature reads 160 degrees F. Remove from the air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes covered.
What Goes with Baked Chicken Breast?
Cooked chicken breasts are not only easy to make and healthy but also extremely versatile. Here are a few ideas to use them:
- Whole grains: Our default is quinoa or brown rice. Or serve along 10 minute spaghetti with tomato sauce, lighter and yet creamy mac and cheese or this fresh veggie and sun dried tomato loaded healthy pasta dish.
- Salads and veggies: Choose one of these beautifully wholesome 45 salad recipes. We often make cucumber and tomato salad or avocado corn salad, depending what’s in the fridge. We are Ukrainian-Russian household, for sure. 🙂
- Low carb: If you are watching carbs, I highly recommend to try my cauliflower mashed potatoes that taste so real. Cauliflower fried rice or one of 30 zucchini recipes will give you lots of healthy ideas too.
- Summertime grilling: If it’s warm enough to fire up the BBQ, try these mind blowing grilled vegetables.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftovers or extra batch of cooked and shredded chicken breast has so many uses. Skip sauteing and use instead of ground turkey in Instant Pot lasagna, Instant Pot white chicken chili or even Instant Pot turkey chili. I am obsessed with my pressure cooker! Check out over 40 more Instant Pot recipes to make dinner stress free!
Storing: Refrigerate baked chicken breast for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To keep chicken moist, slice right before serving.
Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months, again in an airtight container. I think it is best to cut, slice or shred your chicken before freezing it. It will thaw faster and you can add it to your meal right away. Thawed cooked chicken is great to make chicken salad, chicken chili, tostadas or use as a topping on cauliflower pizza with sliced red onions and a drizzle of BBQ sauce.
Reheating: Breast will dry out if reheated in the oven. Instead place it in a small pot or skillet that has tight fitting lid and simmer covered on low with a splash of water or broth, until heated through. Basically, steam it.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
Chicken breast recipes make a huge part of our healthy eating lifestyle. Here are a few of our favorites where they are a star of the show:
- Cilantro lime chicken
- Lemon chicken
- Instant Pot chicken and rice
- Tex Mex chicken and zucchini
- Honey garlic chicken
- 5 easy chicken marinades
Have Instant Pot? Check out these pressure cooker chicken recipes and never run out of ideas again!
Baked Chicken Breast {Extra Juicy Healthy Recipe}
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless & skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a medium baking dish, place chicken, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Using tongs or hands, move chicken around to coat on all sides evenly (I place bottom of breast on top of seasoned one and then swoosh around).
- Bake for 25 minutes (under 2") to 35 minutes (2"+) or until instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 150 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven, cover with foil or lid, and let rest for 10 minutes for the juices to settle (don't skip!).
- Slice against the grain and serve along any side with a salad. Meal prep for the week, use in salads and casseroles.
Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- I used 3 huge organic breasts.
- You can use regular paprika, however the best chicken is with smoked one. Just buy it.:)
Nutrition
Recipes and images are a copyright of ifoodreal.com. It is against the law to republish recipes anywhere including social media, print and all world wide web. Nutritional info is provided for informational purposes only and to the best knowledge.
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Hello and welcome to iFOODreal.
My name is Olena Osipov. I'm a mom to 2 boys, a wife to Alex and we reside on magical Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. This is our healthy family recipes blog. Originally from Ukraine, I grew up on real food. As an adult, I struggled with diets for years because none worked long-term. Now for over 10 years, I cook easy healthy meals for my family. I can help you with “What’s for dinner?” too.