Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
Simple and easy method for how to cook perfectly juicy and deliciously seasoned oven baked chicken breasts.
Servings : 4
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN BREASTS
- 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts,
- 4 cups lukewarm water
- ¼ cup salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
CHICKEN SEASONING BLEND
- ¼ teaspoon salt, (optional - chicken will have absorbed some of the salt from the salted water)
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- ⅙ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425˚F.
- Place chicken breasts in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large measuring cup, or a mixing bowl, combine lukewarm water and salt; stir, then pour over chicken breasts. Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes. You can also cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- In the meantime, prepare the Chicken Seasoning Blend:Combine salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, dried rosemary, dried parsley, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl; using a fork, stir around the seasonings until thoroughly incorporated. Set aside.
- Pour out the salt water and rinse each chicken breast under cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
- Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and rub the olive oil all over each chicken breast.
- Sprinkle seasoning blend evenly over the chicken breasts on all sides. You don't have to use the entire seasoning blend; use as much as you like.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check for doneness. Thinner breasts will need less time, thicker breasts might need a little more time in the oven. Start checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark.
- For a browned, crispy top, set your oven to broil on HIGH for the final 3 to 4 minutes and broil the chicken until golden on top.
- Remove from oven and transfer chicken breasts to a serving plate.
- Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Chicken Breast | Calories: 164 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 24 g | Fat: 7 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g | Trans Fat: 0.01 g | Cholesterol: 73 mg | Sodium: 7351 mg | Potassium: 442 mg | Fiber: 0.3 g | Sugar: 0.1 g | Vitamin A: 199 IU | Vitamin C: 2 mg | Calcium: 18 mg | Iron: 1 mg | Net Carbs: 1 g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.