Description
Juicy oven baked chicken breast promises tender, flavorful protein perfection for family dinners. Home cooks can easily prepare this simple, healthy main dish with basic seasonings and minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Oils and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400F (200C), ensuring rack is positioned in the center.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken breasts, removing excess moisture for optimal seasoning adherence.
- Gently massage olive oil across entire surface of chicken, creating a light protective coating.
- Blend garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl to create a uniform seasoning blend.
- Sprinkle seasoning mixture methodically over both sides of chicken breasts, pressing gently to help spices adhere.
- Arrange seasoned chicken on parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring pieces do not touch for even heat circulation.
- Roast in preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it precisely reaches 165F (74C).
- Transfer chicken from oven and allow to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute throughout meat.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately for maximum flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Moisture matters most when baking chicken breasts, so always pat the meat completely dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy exterior.
- Customize the spice blend by swapping herbs and adding your favorite seasonings like rosemary, cumin, or chili powder for exciting flavor variations.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness precisely, preventing dry chicken and ensuring food safety without overcooking.
- Let the chicken rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute, creating a more tender and succulent final dish that stays moist and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg