Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable version)

Discover the secret to perfectly baked chicken breasts that stay moist and flavorful every time.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)

→ Marinade / Seasoning

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp kosher salt
04 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp dried thyme
09 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
11 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
04 - Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne in a small bowl.
05 - Sprinkle seasoning mix evenly over both sides of chicken breasts and rub in well.
06 - Place chicken breasts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
07 - Bake for 18-25 minutes, depending on thickness, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
09 - Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect juicy chicken every single time without any fancy techniques
  • One bowl, one pan, and hardly any cleanup means more time for everything else
02 -
  • Pounding thicker ends to match thinner pieces is the secret to never having dry edges again
  • A meat thermometer eliminates all the guesswork and anxiety about whether its done
03 -
  • Let your chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • The carryover heat means its actually better to pull it out a degree or two early

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