One juicy & easy chicken breast recipe for the oven
One recipe for baked chicken breast, multiple flavors and perfectly baked chicken every time!
One juicy & easy chicken breast recipe for the oven
One recipe, multiple flavors and Perfectly Baked chicken Every Time!
Ever struggled with dry, overcooked chicken breast? Fret no more! We’ve got the ultimate juicy and easy oven-baked chicken breast recipe that will change your life. Say goodbye to bland, rubbery chicken and hello to a succulent, tender, and flavorful masterpiece that you’ll want to make over and over again with our easy chicken breast recipe.
We’ll walk you through simple steps to achieve the perfect baked chicken breast using our easy chicken breast recipe, customizable seasoning options to suit your taste buds, and helpful tips on checking for doneness, resting, serving, storage, and reheating. Get ready to become a chicken-breast-baking pro!
Key takeaways
- Create a juicy and flavorful oven-baked chicken breast every time with simple steps, the right ingredients, seasoning and baking temperature.
- Personalize your flavor with customizable seasonings like sweet & smoky or spicy Cajun!
- Enjoy an unforgettable meal by pairing your perfect baked chicken breast with delicious side dishes and accompaniments.
Simple steps to a juicy oven baked chicken breast
Preparing a juicy and flavorful oven-baked chicken breast is simpler than it seems. It all starts with selecting boneless chicken breast and skinless chicken breasts and preparing them for even cooking. Pounding the chicken ensures an even thickness, which results in perfectly cooked chicken with every bite.
Next, let’s talk about seasoning. A well-seasoned chicken breast is key to a mouthwatering meal. A rub mixture is a fantastic way to season chicken breasts for maximum flavor.
Finally, baking the chicken at the right temperature and time is the secret to a juicy and tender result. Now, we’ll delve into each step’s specifics to guide you through mastering this baked chicken breast recipe, a delicious variation of a classic baked chicken recipe.
Pounding chicken for even cooking
The first step to ensure a juicy and tender chicken breast is pounding it to an even thickness. This will guarantee even cooking and prevent over or undercooking. To pound the chicken, position it between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and utilize a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Once the chicken is evenly flattened, it’s time to move onto seasoning.
Seasoning for maximum flavor
The seasoning you choose can significantly affect your baked chicken breast’s outcome. A flavorful rub will enhance the taste and elevate your dish to a whole new level. The delectable ingredients for juicy oven-baked chicken breast include:
- Paprika
- Brown sugar
- Oregano (or thyme)
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Apply the seasoning blend liberally over the chicken breasts, making sure all areas are covered. You can also store any extra seasoning in a zip-close bag for future use. This not only saves time but also ensures a delicious meal every time you bake chicken.
Customizable seasoning options
One significant benefit of learning how to bake chicken breasts is the myriad of seasoning options available for baked chicken breasts. You can easily personalize the flavor of your dish with various seasoning options. In the following section, we will explore three tantalizing seasoning blends: sweet and smoky, spicy Cajun, and classic Italian.
Feel free to experiment and create your own unique seasoning blends to suit your taste preferences, or mix and match to keep things exciting. The sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing your baked chicken breast seasoning!
Sweet and smoky
For a mouthwatering, sweet and smoky flavor profile, try the Million Dollar Chicken Seasoning. This delectable blend includes:
- Kosher salt
- Dark brown sugar
- Smoked paprika
- Granulated sugar
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
This seasoning will give your baked chicken a rich, caramelized crust and an irresistible taste that will have your taste buds singing.
Spicy Cajun
If you’re in the mood for a bold and zesty flavor, opt for a spicy Cajun seasoning. This blend typically includes:
- Paprika
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- White pepper
- Cayenne powder (for an extra kick of spiciness)
- Onion powder
To achieve the best results with Cajun seasoning, follow these steps:
- Generously sprinkle the seasoning evenly over both sides of the pounded chicken breasts.
- Bake the chicken as described in section 1.3.
- Enjoy a spicy, flavorful meal that will transport your taste buds to the heart of Louisiana.
Classic Italian
For a taste of the Mediterranean, try a classic Italian seasoning blend featuring olive oil. This amazing combination of herbs and spices includes oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
Simply sprinkle the seasoning blend over your chicken before baking for a delightful, herbaceous flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of side dishes.
Baking time and temperature
The final step is baking the chicken at the right temperature and time. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the chicken breasts for 25-30 minutes.
You can cook chicken breast in the air fryer because it is like a small oven. Put the chicken in your air fryer basket, best side cown. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190ºC) and let it cook for 8 minutes. After that, flip your chicken over and keep it cooking about 6-8 minutes more. Leave the chicken alone for about 5 minutes. Check that the juices run clear.
How to check for doneness using a meat thermometer
Keep in mind that the ideal internal temperature for a perfectly cooked chicken breast is 165°F (75°C). Using a meat thermometer is a foolproof way to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection.
A meat thermometer is indispensable for ensuring your chicken breast is cooked flawlessly. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Other way is cook the chicken until it reaches 160°F (70ºC) and let it rest, covered, 5-10 minutes, as the temperature inside will keep increasing and it will reach 165ºF (75ºC) wich is the safe temperature.
This ensures your chicken thighs and juicy chicken breast are not only safe to eat but also juicy and tender, just the way you like it.
In the air fryer, you want the thickest part of your chicken to hit 160°F (70ºC) on a food thermometer after having turned the chicken breast. This lets the inside of the chicken heat up to 165°F (75ºC) while resting. Not only does this make the chicken safe to eat, but it also helps keep the chicken juicy when you cut into it.
Best baked chicken
Once the chicken breasts are cooked and out of the oven, there is still an important step to ensure the best result and the best baked chicken, resting the meat.
Resting your chicken breast for optimal juiciness
Once your chicken breast is cooked, allow it to rest for a minimum of 10 minutes, ideally 15, before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a succulent, tender bite every time.
Trust us, a little patience goes a long way when it comes to enjoying the perfect baked chicken breast.
Storage and reheating tips
Have leftovers? Don’t worry! Baked chicken breast can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This ensures its safety and freshness. Place the cooked chicken in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag and refrigerate it within two hours of cooking.
If you need to store it for a longer period, chicken breasts can be frozen for up to 6 months. To reheat your chicken, follow these steps:
- Place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F.
- This will ensure your chicken remains juicy and delicious when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Serving suggestions for side dishes and accompaniments
Having mastered the technique of baking the perfect chicken breast, it’s time to consider potential accompaniments. The possibilities are endless, but we have a few suggestions to get you started.
Consider pairing your baked chicken breast with:
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli and Baked Potatoes
- Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
- Quinoa Spinach Salad
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Sheet-Pan Broccoli
- Herby Rosemary Hasselback Potatoes
- Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
- Hearty Mushroom Rice
- Buttery Garlic Green Beans
- Zesty Lemon-Glazed Carrots
- Creamy Mushroom Risotto.
These mouthwatering side dishes will enhance your meal and make it truly unforgettable.
Storage and reheating tips
Have leftovers? Don’t worry! Baked chicken breast can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This ensures its safety and freshness. Place the cooked chicken in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag and refrigerate it within two hours of cooking.
If you need to store it for a longer period, chicken breasts can be frozen for up to 6 months. To reheat your chicken, follow these steps:
- Place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F.
- This will ensure your chicken remains juicy and delicious when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
More chicken breast recipes
If you’re searching for additional simple yet tasty chicken breast recipes, your quest ends here! We’ve rounded up some scrumptious options, including a fantastic chicken recipe, that are sure to become your go-to favorites.
Consider trying these delightful chicken recipes to spice up your weekly meal rotation:
- Chicken Marsala
- Keto Open-Faced Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Tikka Masala
- Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken
- Coronation Chicken
These recipes will have your family and friends raving about your culinary skills.
So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Baking chicken
We have gone through the simple steps to achieve the ultimate juicy and easy oven-baked chicken breast recipe. From pounding the chicken for even cooking and selecting the perfect seasoning blend, to baking at the ideal temperature and allowing the chicken to rest, you now have all the tools to create a mouthwatering masterpiece in your own kitchen.
We hope you enjoy experimenting with the various seasoning options and side dishes, and that these tips and tricks inspire you to create memorable meals for your family and friends. Happy cooking!
What is the best way to cook chicken breast without drying it out?
For the best chicken breasts without drying them out, brining and marinating before cooking with a high heat such as skillet cooking, stir-frying, roasting/baking, or grilling are recommended. Additionally, seasoning the chicken before cooking and baking in an oven afterwards is beneficial for locking in the juices.
How to cook chicken breast for dummies?
Cooking chicken breast is easy - just preheat the oven, season your chicken, and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest portion of breast registers 165°F. In no time you'll have a delicious meal ready to enjoy!
What is the ideal baking time and temperature for chicken breast?
Bake chicken breast at 375° F for 25-30 minutes for delicious and perfectly cooked results.
How do I pound the chicken breast for even cooking?
Pound the chicken evenly by placing it between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This will ensure even cooking.
What are some customizable seasoning options for baked chicken breast?
Create delectable meals with a variety of tasty seasoning options for baked chicken breast like sweet and smoky, spicy Cajun, and classic Italian.
