Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printer-Friendly)
Herb-seasoned chicken breasts baked juicy and tender in the oven—a healthy, effortless weeknight main dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 5 to 6 ounces each
→ Seasoning Blend
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend (oregano, basil, thyme)
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10 - Lemon wedges for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to form a seasoning paste.
04 - Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage.
05 - Bake for 18 to 25 minutes depending on thickness, until the internal temperature registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
06 - Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The spice rub forms a lightly golden crust that locks in every drop of moisture without any breading or fuss.
- Cleanup is basically nothing since everything happens on one sheet pan.
02 -
- Carryover cooking means the internal temperature will keep rising a few degrees after you pull the chicken out, so taking it at 162 degrees F is actually safer for juiciness.
- A quick saltwater brine for just 15 to 30 minutes before seasoning makes an almost unbelievable difference in how tender the meat turns out.
03 -
- Let the seasoned chicken sit at room temperature for ten minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly from edge to center.
- The single biggest secret is not overcooking it, so invest in an instant read thermometer and trust the number over the timer.