Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable)
Tender chicken breasts seasoned with olive oil and spices, baked to juicy perfection with fresh herb garnish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
→ Marinade & Seasoning
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
08 - ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs or mixed dried herbs
→ Optional Garnish
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
03 - Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Italian herbs. Toss or rub to coat the chicken evenly.
04 - Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
05 - Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Baking time may vary depending on thickness.
06 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
07 - Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Perfectly juicy chicken without any fancy techniques or equipment
- Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish
- Endless seasoning possibilities make it never boring
02 -
- Using an instant read thermometer is the only way to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken every single time
- Letting the meat rest is not optional, cutting too soon releases all those precious juices
03 -
- Pound thicker parts of the chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking
- Let the seasoned chicken sit for 15 minutes before baking for better flavor penetration