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Perfect Juicy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe Easy Step by Step Guide

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A simple, reliable baked chicken breast recipe that yields juicy, tender meat with minimal fuss, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for brine; reduce to ¾ teaspoon if using table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon sugar (optional, helps with browning and juiciness)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) water (for brine)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried mixed Italian herbs or dried thyme (optional)
  • Lemon zest from 1 lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the brine by combining 2 cups cold water, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir until dissolved.
  2. Submerge the chicken breasts in the brine for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature. If short on time, 10 minutes is acceptable.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Remove chicken breasts from the brine and pat completely dry with paper towels.
  5. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried herbs, and lemon zest if using.
  6. Rub the seasoning mix evenly over each chicken breast.
  7. Place the chicken breasts spaced apart in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, checking at 18 minutes with a thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
  9. Remove from oven and tent loosely with foil. Rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  10. Slice against the grain and serve.

Notes

If chicken browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking. Never skip the resting step to keep chicken juicy. Use a thermometer to avoid overcooking. For variations, try fresh herbs, add cayenne for spice, or pan-sear before baking for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, juicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken, oven baked chicken

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