Baked chicken breast recipe is always a budget-friendly, wholesome, and versatile dinner. This recipe uses a simple, 3-step process to ensure the best tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken, every time!

If you like juicy, tender, easy-to-make chicken recipes like this one, you’ll love these recipes too: Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe, and Rosemary Lemon Roasted Chicken Breasts.

baked chicken breast, cut into slices on a white plate
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Today, I’m sharing with you one of my favorite ways to make chicken: roasted breast chicken. I love this recipe because it only needs ingredients you have on hand, such as chicken breast, olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder. It’s so simple, right?

Making this recipe involves brining the chicken, then seasoning and baking it. The entire process takes just 35 minutes, so it is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients to Make Baked Chicken Breast

Brining chicken is the key to juiciness, but for the best flavor, you will also need to add seasoning. For this baked juicy chicken breast recipe, the seasoning is simple.

  • Extra virgin olive oil — You can also use avocado oil!
  • Chicken — Boneless and skinless chicken breasts. I like to purchase free-range, organic options whenever possible.
  • Seasonings — Italian seasonings blend (storebought or homemade), garlic powder, paprika (or smoked paprika), salt, and black pepper.  
left: small bowls with spices. right: mixture of spices in a small bowl

How to make this baked chicken breast recipe

As mentioned earlier, there are just 3 steps involved in making the perfect baked chicken breast dinner. Here’s how it’s done!

brining chicken breasts in glass bowl
  1. BRINE – The benefits of brining chicken and how to make brine are mentioned above. However, the complete instructions are also in the recipe card.
  2. SEASON – In a small bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients. Then, place the chicken breasts in a baking pan. Brush a light coating of oil on both sides of each chicken breast. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken on both sides.
two photos with raw chicken breast with olive oil and the other with seasoned chicken breast in a white casserole
  1. COOKING CHICKEN BREAST

Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 163°F.

Note: Chicken will continue to cook as it rests. As a result, the internal temp will increase to 165°F. At this point, the chicken will be firm to the touch, with no pink flesh visible.

For the most accurate reading, use an instant-read thermometer.

closeup photo of a meat thermometer

try it!

Meat Thermometer

We rely on this Nycetek Digital Instant read meat thermometer, our go-to meat thermometer, for perfectly cooked meat every time.

 

baked chicken in a white casserole

When the cooking time finishes, remove the baked chicken breast from the oven. Then, place the chicken breasts onto a cutting board and allow them to rest for 10 minutes. After resting, slice and serve.

Brine chicken before baking

Brining chicken before baking it makes a huge difference! It’s easy to do, and it helps to keep the baked chicken breast meat tender and juicy.

Plus, there is a bonus to doing this. If your chicken is still partially frozen, brining it in lukewarm water will help bring the chicken to room temperature.

Important note: To avoid any risk of bacterial contamination, you should always prepare the baked chicken breast recipe as soon as the brining process is complete.

For this recipe, the brine is just a simple salt water solution. You will need to dissolve 2 tablespoons of kosher salt into 2 cups of warm water.

slices of seasoned chicken breast in a white plate

How To Store Leftovers

  • To Store: Allow leftovers to cool and place them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • To Freeze: Leftover baked chicken breast is also freezer-friendly! Cloak in plastic wrap or place in an airtight, freezer-safe container and store frozen for up to 3 months. You can also shred your chicken before freezing and use it in chicken soup or casserole.
  • To Reheat: Thaw leftovers in the refrigerator overnight (if reheating from frozen). Reheat in the microwave or oven. You can also enjoy leftovers cold in a yummy chicken salad.

What To Serve With Baked Chicken

This juicy oven-baked chicken breast recipe is one of the most versatile things you can make in the kitchen. It will go with almost any side you can think of:

  • Add grains to your spread! Stick with some simple fluffy rice or quinoa. You can also make this flavor-packed quinoa salad with black beans and veggies if you want a bit more flair. For a low-carb option, consider trying this insanely delicious golden cauliflower rice.

Recipe Variations

Make it spicy: Add a large pinch of cayenne pepper for some nice heat! Or, you can make a homemade Cajun seasonings blend instead (store-bought is also fine).

Add some citrus: Drizzle chicken with a bit of fresh lemon or lime juice before baking for a bit of extra zesty flavor.

Mexican seasonings: Use spices like taco seasoning, ground cumin, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder for a Mexican-inspired taste.

Use chicken thighs! If you prefer chicken thighs over breast meat, feel free to make the swap.

Garnish: You can garnish this recipe with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme or even cilantro for a Mexican flavor.

Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

3.50 from 185 votes
Author: Olivia Ribas
Servings3 People
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Baked chicken breast recipe is always a budget-friendly, wholesome, and versatile dinner. This recipe uses a simple, 3-step process to ensure the best tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken, every time!

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Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • First, brine your chicken breasts by combining the warm water and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt in a large bowl. Stir it well until salt is dissolved in the water. Add the chicken breasts and let it sit for 15-30 minutes.
    overhead view of a glass bowl containing water and raw chicken breast
  • Preheat oven to 450F and coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Then, remove the chicken from the brine and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Place the chicken in a single layer in a prepared baking sheet and brush the top of it with olive oil.
    raw chicken in a baking sheet
  • In a small bowl, add Italian seasonings, paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Mix everything well. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken on both sides.
    seasoned raw chicken breast in a baking pan
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reached the internal temperature of 165F. I recommend using a cooking thermometer to know precisely the temperature.
    overhead view of baked chicken breast in a baking pan
  • Remove it from the oven, transfer to a serving plate, cover with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving it.
    close up of a baked sliced chicken breast

Notes

  • Get similar-sized chicken breasts so they cook evenly.
  • Make sure the chicken breasts do not overlap. This will help them cook evenly. Making sure there’s space between them will allow for the hot air to reach all of the chicken breasts.
  • To store: Store leftover chicken breasts in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. 
  • To reheat: You can reheat in the microwave when ready to eat. You can also eat chicken cold.
  • To freeze: You can freeze chicken breasts in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. You can also shred them before freezing so you can quickly add them to soups or salads. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1/3, Calories: 168kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 59mg, Sodium: 418mg, Potassium: 237mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Olivia Ribas

Welcome

Hi, I'm Olivia


Happy to have you here! I’ve been creating and sharing tasty, easy-to-make recipes on Primavera Kitchen for over 10 years now! I’m all about simple, delicious recipes made with fresh, seasonal, and wholesome ingredients that your whole family will love.

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3.50 from 185 votes (175 ratings without comment)

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30 Comments

  1. Barb says:

    When brining the chicken breasts how much water do you use? I can’t locate the amount in the recipe. It says combining the warm water and …
    Also making this recipe for five people- how much water and salt for that many people? I used the calculator for five servings for the rest of the ingredients.

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      you typically need enough water to fully submerge the chicken. There isn’t a specific amount mentioned in the recipe because it can vary depending on the size of your container and the number of chicken breasts you’re brining. For five people, you’ll want to adjust the amount of water and salt accordingly. A common ratio for a basic brine is about 4 cups of water to 1/4 cup of salt.

  2. Barbara Paul says:

    This recipe looks great but I can’t use paprika what else can I use?

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      You can use cumin, coriander, garlic powder and onion powder too.

  3. Tim Pipkin says:

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Delicious!

    This baked chicken breast recipe is a winner! The seasoning blend is perfect, and the chicken comes out so tender and juicy every time. Paired with mashed potatoes and green beans, it’s a hearty, wholesome meal that’s both budget-friendly and healthy. Super easy to prepare, and the flavor is absolutely delicious! This will definitely be a go-to for busy weeknights. Highly recommend! 🙌

    #RecipeReview #DeliciousMeals #HealthyRecipes #BakedChicken #EasyDinnerIdeas

    1. Olivia Ribas says:

      I’m thrilled to hear that you loved the baked chicken breast recipe! It sounds like you paired it with the perfect sides for a wholesome, comforting meal. I’m glad it’s become a go-to for busy weeknights—nothing beats a dish that’s easy, budget-friendly, and delicious. Thanks for the high recommendation! 🙌