Description
Succulent oven baked chicken breast delivers classic comfort with minimal effort. Juicy, tender meat paired with simple seasonings ensures a quick and satisfying meal for home cooks who crave reliable protein perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.36 kilograms or 48 ounces)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnish:
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 400F (200C) and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Use paper towels to thoroughly dry chicken breasts, ensuring maximum seasoning adherence.
- Massage each chicken breast with olive oil, then generously sprinkle with garlic powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful coating.
- Arrange seasoned chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to promote uniform cooking.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, monitoring the internal temperature until it precisely reaches 165F (75C) for safe consumption.
- Once cooked, immediately remove chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, which helps redistribute juices and maintain tenderness.
- Slice the chicken and garnish with fresh lemon wedges to enhance the flavor profile, then pair with complementary side dishes of your choice.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are similar in size for even cooking, preventing dry or undercooked sections.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check internal temperature, guaranteeing juicy and safe-to-eat chicken.
- Create flavor variations by experimenting with different herb and spice combinations like rosemary, oregano, or cumin.
- Substitute olive oil with avocado or coconut oil for alternative dietary preferences or enhanced nutritional profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg