Perfect baked chicken breast- a no fail method for perfect juicy chicken breast each and every time! Rubbed with the most delicious seasoning and baked to perfection, this is a crowd pleaser recipe.
Sick of bland, dried out chicken? Look no further, because like my Perfect Baked Chicken Thighs, this perfect baked chicken breast recipe is a game changer!
Did you know that it's actually possible to get delicious, juicy baked chicken breast in the oven WITHOUT brining, using weird parchment paper tricks, or searing and finishing in the oven? I know, I was shocked too.
This recipe has yet to fail me. With the combination of the right temperature and cook time, that seasoning (♡!), and the all-important resting step, you seriously cannot go wrong here. The BEST PART- it's simple. You can have it ready for your family in under 30 minutes!
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Reasons you're going to ♡ this recipe
- It's ready in under 30 minutes
- All Purpose: this is great for chicken salad, tacos, wraps and salads.
- I provide instructions for small, medium, and large chicken breasts, so this method will work with whatever you have on hand!
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Baked Chicken Recipe Video
Watch the video below for all the tips and ticks to getting perfect, juicy baked chicken breast! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient notes
- chicken breast- this post covers how to cook a boneless skinless chicken breast. Bone-in and skin-on will require longer. Here's a tutorial on cooking it!
- oil- the oil helps the rub stick to the chicken, and helps the outside brown up. I recommend extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
- spice rub- using paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and salt brings such a delicious blend of flavors
- brown sugar- the sugar turns liquid in the oven and gets golden and caramelized, making the outside of the chicken breast even more flavorful. However, if you are low carb, you can skip it (it still tastes great without it!)
Step by step directions
1. Prepare rub- in a small bowl, mix together the spices.
2. Weigh chicken- Cook time for this recipe depends on the size of your chicken, so it's best to weigh them (or estimate based on the image above).
Estimated cook time for chicken breasts at 450°F
- 5 oz 12-15 min
- 7 oz 15-20 min
- 10 oz 20-25 min
3. Oil chicken- Begin by tossing or brushing chicken in a thin coating of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Apply rub- Sprinkle the chicken in rub, then use your hands to rub and press it in. This helps the rub to stick.
5. Bake- Bake chicken at 450°F, using the chart above to determine how long to bake your chicken for. Flip the chicken halfway though to ensure it cooks evenly. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure your chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
💡 TIP- In a side by side comparison of chicken breasts baked at 400°F, 425°F and 450°F, the 450°F chicken breast was noticeably juicier!
6. Cover + rest- when baked through, remove the chicken from the oven. Cover with a metal baking dish or aluminum foil, and allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes.
💡 TIP- Resting the chicken helps the juices settle into the meat. If you cut into it too soon, all those juices will rush out, it will alter the tenderness of the meat and will not be as juicy!
7. Slice- When slicing chicken breast, it's essential to slice against the grain. If you cut with the grain, the chicken will be gnarly and chewy.
💡 TIP- Here is a great tutorial on how to slice baked chicken breast against the grain (they are using raw chicken but the same principle applies to cooked chicken!)
FAQ: Juicy Baked Chicken Breast
The most important thing is to pull out your chicken breasts when they are at (or close to) an internal temperature of 165°F. I highly suggest investing in a digital thermometer so you can eliminate guesswork.
It's also very important to rest your chicken for at least 5 minutes, and to slice it against the grain.
Yes, I recommend flipping the chicken breast halfway through so that the top and bottom cook evenly.
For this recipe, we use a 450°F oven temperature, which is getting quite hot for glass, so I suggest using metal pans. I recommend a sturdy baking sheet over a dish, as this allows for good air circulation around the chicken breasts as they bake.
Yes, however there are a few modifications you'll need...check them out in this Perfect Grilled Chicken Breast recipe!
Some recipes require beating the chicken with a meat mallet or rolling pin until it is an even thickness. The main reason you can skip that step with this reason is because the meat is weighed and the cook time is adjusted accordingly, resulting in perfect, juicy chicken everytime!
Storage
- Fridge- Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer- Cool completely, then wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Store in a larger meal prep container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat- heat up single servings in the microwave until steaming hot. Warm larger portions in a covered dish in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through.
💡 TIP- if you plan to use this recipe for meal prep, allow chicken to cool completely before slicing. This helps to seal in all the juices and keeps it moist for multiple days.
Serve it with
- 7 Easy Rice Recipes
- 7 Cauliflower Rice Recipes
- Staple Kale Salad
- Fluffy Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower
- Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic Butter
More chicken recipes
This recipe was originally posted 07/2018 ...same great recipe!
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Perfect Baked Chicken Breast (juicy + flavorful)
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts see note 1
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Rub
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 4 teaspoons brown sugar see note 2
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat oven to 450°F.
- Toss or brush chicken with olive oil.
- Stir together the rub and sprinkle over chicken breasts. Turn chicken breasts until completely coated in rub.
- Place on sturdy baking sheet, leaving 1-2 inches between the chicken breasts.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Flip and return to the oven. Bake chicken for total time according to size of chicken breast: 5 oz (12-15 min) 7 oz (15-20 min) 10 oz (20-25 min) or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from oven and cover with a baking dish for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove baking dish and transfer to a cutting board. Cut against the grain and serve.
Tips:
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Elsa says
Denise, thanks to you, I finally made PERFECT baked chicken breast that my husband enjoys!!! 7 oz breast 10+5 mins at 450F. It's perfectly cooked. The spice rub is super delicious. This one is definitely on the repeat list.
Denise says
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks for reporting back, Elsa!
Jade says
Hi Denise! I’m confused about step 6 - to cover with a baking dish after taking it out of the oven? Do you mean to actually put a dish on top of the chicken, but then wouldn’t the chicken steam without air and continue to cook/get soggy? Thanks!!
Denise says
Hi Jade! Yes, it really helps to keep the juices in. The chicken doesn't end up soggy 🙂
Williams says
I love to cook and I am always looking for new recipes for my daily menu, which is interesting for my work. Today's my lucky day, Perfect Baked Chicken Breast is great, just follow the instructions and everything is easy, I like it. Thanks for your sharing
Denise says
So glad you enjoyed! Thanks so much for coming back and leaving your review 🙂
Carolyn R Riner says
I have made this several times and it’s been delicious each time. I usually change up the spices a bit and I always used brown sugar blend which has fewer calories. But it’s always wonderful and really juicy. Thanks!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thank you for your review, Carolyn!
sandhya says
I am glad to say, I am made a delicious chicken breast. Thank you very much.
Denise says
So happy to hear this! Thank you for your review, Sandhya!
steaks says
I made this last week, it’s easy but so good, my family like this. Many thanks
Júlia says
I followed your instructions step by step and the chicken breasts turned out perfect - super juicy! It's the first time I have enjoyed them so much, so thank you! 🙂
Denise says
YAY! So happy to read your comment, Julia! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Linda Robinson says
I made this last night and it was delicious. A hit with all of us. How can I reheat the leftovers without drying them out?
Denise says
Hi Linda, so sorry for my late reply! It can be really tricky to reheat chicken breast without drying it out. I find a covered pan at 350 for 15 or so minutes can do the trick, but they are never quite as juicy as the first day they are baked. Hope this helps 🙂
Marci Kitowski says
Are the breasts boned and skinless?
Denise says
Boneless and skinless 🙂
Diana Beilfuss says
Is there anything I can substitute for brown sugar? Trying to make this low carb. Thank you
Denise says
Hi Diana! You can leave the sugar out, it's still good without it 🙂
Brett says
This recipe is incredible. We use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika and it's fantastic that way! Thank you for this!
Rosa says
Which other rubs can we use? Not sweet one? Other than paprika?
We loved it with your rub but would like to switch around as well. Maybe some.kind of Greek one?
Thanks!!
Denise says
Hi Rosa! Here are seven rubs you can try https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/easy-dry-rub-recipes/
Denise says
I'm so happy you enjoyed, Brett! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Jessica Berkey says
I was looking for a chicken recipe for the whole family and I stumbled on this article. I read and followed the instructions carefully and I made it deliciously! Thanks Denise
Denise says
I'm so happy you enjoyed, Jessica! Thank you so much for your review!
Susan Zutautas says
I keep coming back again and again for this recipe as I love it and so does my family. Thought this time I'd leave you a comment.
Denise says
I am so happy you've enjoyed! Thank you so much for your review, Susan 🙂
Daily4ever says
I actually prepared this super easy, yet yummy recipe last night for the fam. I am not a everyday cooker, so I needed something easy but great tasting. My 10 year old loves when I do cook dinner and he really enjoyed this recipe!! I just don’t have a lot of time to plan and prepare home cooked meals everyday with my job, so we get food To go a lot. By The way I chose to Cook them at 450° and I had to cook them for a little longer than 15 minutes but they were thicker chicken breast.Thank you for the recipe I’ll definitely check out other recipes on this website.
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks for your review 🙂
habitat says
Baked Chicken Breast is great! I always like chicken dishes, especially grilled dishes. added it to the menu for the weekend. Thank you for sharing the recipe to do it
Nova @ The High Strung says
Its was very well done I am trying it out for dinner tonight. I can’t wait to see out it turns out yours look so yummy.
Denise says
I hope you enjoyed it!
Evonna says
I overcooked this because my boyfriend is weird about chicken and it was still JUICY and beyond that, the rub is completely delicious!
Thank you for sharing your epic recipes!
Denise says
YAY! So happy to hear this and LOL on the boyfriend comment! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, Evonna!
Linda says
Thank you for a great recipe - finally I don't have shoe leather chicken and turkey breasts. I made my own rub with poultry seasoning - powdered, Italian seasoning, celery salt and parsley, as we're on a Candida diet and low fodmap - but thanks so much!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed!
Alissa says
Hi Denise,
I just found your website today scowering for new quick recipes for my weeknight meals! Generally, I maybe find 1 or 2 good recipes from a website but with yours its 8 and counting!
I love the ease of your ingredients, that they are somewhat healthy, and you use a variety of dishes and flavors but ingredients that I have at my house. I am SO excited to try ALL of your recipes!
You're my soul sister! Thank you very much!
Denise says
Hi Alissa! Wow, thanks for making my night! I hope you enjoy all the recipes! Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
CountryRefuge says
I am so tired of bland chicken and have given up on fixing it. I stumbled on your recipe and had an "aha!" moment. This is absolutely to die for! Thank you for a great way to prepare chicken breasts that is both healthy and delicious.
Rhonda says
I wonder if this method would work for frozen chicken breasts or do you have another method for cooking them?
Denise says
For frozen chicken breasts I would advise fully thawing first unless you have an Instant Pot. Here's a great tutorial on cooking frozen chicken breasts in the Instant Pot: https://www.thereciperebel.com/cook-frozen-chicken-breasts-instant-pot/
Rhonda says
Thank you, Denise! I did use the Instant pot. I had cooked my there's chicken in the oven before and love the higher temp and quickness to cook most, flavorful chicken.