Healthy Baked Chicken Breast

Name: Healthy Baked Chicken Breast
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless & skinless chicken breasts; 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Ground black pepper (to taste)

This Healthy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe is juicy, tender and ready with 5 minutes of prep. Simple seasonings transforms plain chicken breasts into flavorful and juicy baked chicken.

Our other go-to chicken breast recipes are Instant Pot chicken breast, grilled chicken breast and air fryer chicken breast.

Three sliced baked chicken breasts in a baking dish.

This healthy baked chicken breast comes out juicy, tender and flavorful thanks to our optimal tried and tested oven temperature and cooking method.

Chicken can be dry but be sure there is a way to cook it properly. Just like there is a secret to juicy chicken breast in slow cooker and Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts, there are few tricks for their oven version too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

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Simple spices you have on hand right now
No pounding and no brining
Juicy, tender and flavorful results
Ready in 30 minutes
Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinner

Reader’s Review

So easy and comes out perfectly juicy and flavorful every time. I love that there’s no need to marinate, so I can be very last minute when this is on the dinner menu. I make this chicken weekly. Love it!!
Kelly

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Ingredients for Baked Chicken Breast

Avocado oil, chicken breasts, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper.

Chicken: This recipe calls for 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts. I used three large chicken breasts. If you choose to use bone-in chicken breast, baking time will be different, around 30-35 minutes.
Smoked paprika: It is my favorite to use in this recipe. You can use regular paprika but I highly recommend to find smoked paprika in a supermarket near you and stock up.
Dried herbs: Dried oregano, basil, rosemary or Italian seasoning. You can use any of these herbs in any proportion.
Garlic powder, salt and pepper: True pantry staples anyone always has on hand.
Olive oil or avocado oil: It helps to lock in juices inside the baked chicken breast and seasonings to stick.

Paprika Tip

Instead of smoked paprika, you can try a combination of 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Sweet with heat flavor!

How to Bake Chicken Breast in the Oven

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and grab a large baking dish.

Add seasonings: In a baking dish, place chicken, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper. There is no need for making the mixture in a separate small bowl.
Rub: Using tongs or hands, toss chicken around right in the baking dish. Then arrange in a single layer.
Bake: Bake chicken breasts in the oven at 450 degrees F for 25 minutes (under 2 inch thickness) to 35 minutes (2 inches and over thick), or until meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 150 degrees F.
Rest: Remove chicken breast from the oven, cover with aluminum foil or silicone lid, and let chicken rest for 10 minutes for the juices to settle. After, slice against the grain.

When It’s Ready

The US Government food safety recommends to cook any poultry until its internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 C). Please note, this recipe tells you to bake until 150 degrees F. Chicken keeps cooking with residual heat while resting under aluminum foil and will reach 165 degrees F.

How Long to Bake Chicken Breast?

Cooking time depends on thickness of the chicken breast and oven temperature.

For the best juicy roasted chicken breast, I prefer to cook it at 450 F. But you can also use lower oven temperature. Here is a quick time chart for your reference.

400 degrees F: Under 2″ thick – 29 minutes, over 2″ – 34-39 minutes.
425 degrees F: Under 2″ thick – 27 minutes, over 2″ – 32-37 minutes.
450 degrees F: Under 2″ thick – 25 minutes, over 2″ – 30-35 minutes.

Tips for Best Results

Choose similar size breasts: Baking small chicken breasts at same time as medium or large chicken breasts, will result in rubbery and dry smaller breasts by the time larger ones are ready.
Season well: Make sure to spend time rubbing the seasonings all over the chicken evenly.
Do not cover: Covering chicken breasts during baking will result in steamed chicken and not roasted.
Adjust cook time: Ovens vary based on age, manufacturer and type. If one time your chicken comes out dry, cook for less time next time. Also convection oven method will cook chicken about 3-5 minutes faster.
Do not overbake: I suggest to invest into an instant read thermometer and remove chicken from the oven when it reads 150 degrees F.
Let it rest: Make sure to cover the meat and let it sit for 10 minutes for juices to settle and finish cooking with residual heat.

How to Store and Reheat

Store: Refrigerate leftover chicken for up to 5 days in an airtight container. To keep chicken moist, slice right before serving.

Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I think it is best to cut, slice or shred your chicken before freezing it. It will thaw faster in the fridge and you can add it to your meal right away.

If you opt to freeze chicken breasts whole, lay them flat. This makes for easier thawing as they will not be in one big ‘blob’.

Reheat: To avoid dry chicken, do not reheat breasts 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.

Or here is a quick tutorial how to reheat chicken breast in air fryer.

Oven baked chicken breasts in white baking dish with juices.

Serving Ideas

This healthy baked chicken breast recipe is extremely versatile. You can serve it as a main dish with any cooked grains and a vegetable side dish or salad! Here are a few ideas to use them:

With whole grains: For a good serving of fiber, pair chicken with cooked quinoa, brown rice or your favorite grains.
With salads: Choose one of these salad recipes. We often make cucumber and tomato salad to go along with it.
With potatoes: Pair juicy chicken breast with mashed potatoes or Instant Pot baked potatoes.
Low carb: If you are watching carbs, I recommend to try my cauliflower mashed potatoes that taste so real. Or use your air fryer for air fryer cauliflower or air fryer broccoli.
Thawed baked chicken breast is great to make chicken salad or use as a topping on cauliflower pizza crust with sliced red onions and a drizzle of BBQ sauce.

FAQs

How do I bake chicken breasts without drying out?

Baking chicken at high temperature is the best way to prevent chicken breasts from drying out. Be sure not to overbake them and remove from the oven when internal temperature registers 150 F and not 165F. By then your chicken breast will be dry.

Do you have to flip chicken breast when baking?

No. You don’t have to flip chicken breasts when baking in the oven.

More Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes

Sliced baked chicken breast on cutting board showing texture.

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