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Easy Juicy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe with Simple Seasoning Tips

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A straightforward baked chicken breast recipe that yields juicy, tender meat with a flavorful crust using simple pantry staples and minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 to 8 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If uneven thickness, gently pound to about ¾ inch thickness.
  3. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme (if using).
  4. Drizzle olive oil over chicken breasts and rub to coat evenly. Sprinkle seasoning mixture on both sides, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Place chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish or sheet pan, leaving space between pieces.
  6. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, checking around 15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Slice against the grain and serve.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a crispy crust. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Let the chicken rest after baking to keep it juicy. For a golden finish, broil for 1-2 minutes if needed. You can swap dried thyme with other herbs or add cayenne pepper for heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, juicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, simple seasoning, healthy chicken, weeknight dinner