Baked Chicken Breast
This Baked Chicken Breast is juicy, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes. No marinating, no mess, just golden, well-seasoned chicken that actually tastes good. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or whenever you’re tired of dry, sad chicken.
Servings: 6
Calories: 343kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper freshly ground
Baked Chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 pounds chicken breast boneless and skinless (about 6)
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted, cut into 6 equal size pieces
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
- In a small bowl whisk all the dry rub ingredients together; set aside.
- Pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a baking dish and brush it over the bottom to cover the entire surface. Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and brush the remaining olive oil over both sides of the chicken.
- Sprinkle half of the rub over one side of the chicken breasts then flip them over and sprinkle the other side with the remaining rub. Use your hands if necessary to make sure the entire breasts are seasoned.
- Place a piece of butter on each chicken breast.
- Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 18 to 25 minutes. The baking time could differ depending on the thickness of the chicken breast. The breast is cooked when it's completely opaque all the way through and registers 165°F / 74°C on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite side dish.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the resting time: it locks in all the juices.
- Pounding thick breasts helps them cook evenly and prevents dry edges.
- No thermometer? Look for clear juices and a firm texture, but seriously, a $10 meat thermometer is a game changer.
- Season generously: chicken breast has no personality on its own, so we give it one.
- Want it spicy? Add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a bit of cayenne to the rub.
Nutrition
Serving: 1breast | Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 459mg | Potassium: 882mg | Vitamin A: 775IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1.4mg
