Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Start by using a large rolling pin or meat mallet to pound your chicken breast to a uniform thickness.
Season generously with my special seasoning blend (in the recipe card below).
Bake for only 20 minutes, then let stand for 5 minutes under foil before slicing.
Here’s how to get super juicy oven-baked chicken breast!
How to get juicy cooked chicken
Is it really necessary to mash chicken breasts to a uniform thickness before cooking? Yes, this is absolutely necessary if you want juicy chicken. Here’s why…
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The natural shape of a chicken breast is teardrop-shaped, with a thicker, more meaty part at the bottom of the teardrop. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F before it is safe to eat. If you don’t mash the chicken, the thicker part will take longer to cook at a safe temperature, while the thinner part of the chicken breast will be overcooked and result in a dried, choked chicken breast.
Do yourself a favor and mash the chicken.
Season the chicken breast with a simple blend of spices before cooking.
The Perfect Chicken Seasoning Mix
I’m sure you could season your chicken breasts with just salt and pepper and they would still come out great, but this spice blend will take your baked chicken to the next level.
Brown sugar – the sugar helps tenderize the chicken, trust me, that’s a good idea.
Chili powder – adds a delicious smoky flavor, and gives the chicken an excellent coloring
Parsley – great for adding a balanced flavor to herbs
Salt – the seasoning of life
Pepper – because it goes with salt
Garlic powder – adds a delicious flavor
Onion powder – compliments the garlic powder
Cumin – it really gives the chicken something special
Combine the spices and rub liberally into the chicken breast before cooking.
Let your chicken breast rest for at least 5 minutes under foil before slicing.
HOW LONG TO COOK THE CHICKEN BREAST?
Since we are not going to sear the chicken in a pan until we finish in the oven, you will want to start your chicken at a high temperature in the oven.
Make sure your oven is preheated 425 degrees F before baking. Cooking at a high temperature will help lock in these juices, resulting in tender, juicy chicken every time.
4 to 6 ounces of chicken breasts – 18 minutes
7 to 8 ounces of chicken breasts – 20 minutes
9 ounces and over – 22 minutes
Remember to use a meat thermometer to check an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes under a sheet of aluminum foil before slicing.
Ultra-tender and juicy baked chicken breast is an easy weekday dinner!
More Baked Chicken Breast Recipes
I have no doubts that you will get fantastic results with this recipe as long as you follow the tips and methods I have shared here.