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    Ambitious Foodie » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

    The BEST Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy!)

    Modified: Jan 7, 2026 · Published: Oct 28, 2025 Written by: Imsen · This post may contain affiliate links · 92 Comments

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    Making my oven-baked chicken breast is incredibly easy and quick! For these incredibly delicious, fail-proof chicken breasts, all you need is a little olive oil, a unique spice blend, and some insider knowledge. It's easy, quick, and really delicious! It works well for meal preparation, as a salad topper, in chicken sandwiches, and as a main course.

    Overhead view of baked chicken breasts in a white baking dish.

    Baked Chicken Breast Ingredients

    This recipe for baked chicken breasts requires the following ingredients:

    • Chicken Breasts - You can buy frozen chicken breasts (which you must fully thaw before using) or fresh chicken breasts (which is what I prefer). To ensure equal cooking, always make sure to select chicken breasts of roughly the same size and pound them to a uniform thickness. The cooking time may need to be modified based on the size of the breasts.
    • Olive oil - The chicken is lightly oiled to help the seasonings adhere. Olive oil aids in browning and helps the seasonings adhere. You can use any oil with a mild flavor.
    • Seasoning - It's a straightforward mixture of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika for color. You can use smoked paprika, which is very easy to make and goes with almost anything, or sweet paprika. However, you are welcome to use any dry seasoning blend you like. Your preferred seasoning blends, such as Cajun seasoning, Greek seasoning, or a basic lemon pepper blend, can be used.

    Baked Chicken Breast Video Tutorial

    Watch as I demonstrate how to bake chicken breasts to perfection. For lunch, supper, or meal preparation. this recipe yields juicy, delicious chicken breasts.

    How To Cook Baked Chicken Breasts

    1. Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
    2. In a large bowl, combine the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then, add olive oil until well combined.
    Baked chicken breast seasoning in a small bowl.
    Baked chicken breast seasoning mixed with olive oil in a small bowl
    1. The chicken breast should be placed on your chopping board. Cut off extra fat. then lay a piece of plastic wrap or parchment over the chicken to avoid spatter, gently pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts with a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer.
    2. The seasoning mixture should be uniformly brushed over the chicken on both sides, flipping once.
    3. The chicken breasts should be baked for 18 minutes after being placed in a baking dish, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on a thermometer.
    pounding chicken breasts with a roller pin.
    chicken breasts in a baking dish.
    1. After cooking, take the pan out of the oven, move the chicken to a plate or chopping board, and let it rest for five minutes before slicing.
    2. Drizzle the pan juices over the chicken before serving, and sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top.
    Seasoning chicken breasts with a red brush in a baking dish.
    Seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish.

    How Long To Bake Chicken Breasts

    The size of your chicken breast and the oven's wattage will determine how long it takes to cook. There are minor heat variations in some ovens. Pulling the chicken breast when the thermometer registers a safe internal temperature of 165°F is the secret to cooking it without drying it out. Here is a general rule to abide by:

    • Cook 5 ounce small breasts for 18 minutes.
    • Cook 7 ounce medium breasts for 20 minutes.
    • Cook 9-ounce large breasts for 22 minutes.

    Do I Need to Brine Chicken Breast?

    Although brining is optional in this recipe, crushing the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness will naturally tenderize them and guarantee that they cook evenly for a luscious center. Additionally, the chicken gains a lot of flavor from the considerable amount of seasoning.

    Expert Tips

    Since I've been baking chicken breasts for years, these pointers have helped me consistently make properly cooked chicken:

    1. To balance out the thickness, make sure to pound the chicken breasts thoroughly. Since one end of chicken breasts is inherently thicker than the other, you can pound the thicker portion of the breast gently to get a more uniform thickness, which will result in more equal cooking.
    2. Combine the seasoning and oil. I used to season the chicken breasts on both sides after brushing them with cooking oil. After plenty of trial I now prefer preparing a "seasoning paste" instead of just using dry seasoning. With a seasoning paste the oil really soaks into both the spice and the chicken and creates excellent flavor! However, before adding the oil, make sure to combine all the spices.
    3. Keep the chicken breasts from being overcooked.The most crucial thing is to avoid overcooking the chicken. Cook until 165°F using a meat thermometer.
    4. It's crucial to rest! Before serving, let the chicken rest for five minutes. After cooking, let the meat rest so that the juices can return to the meat and keep it moist.
    5. Experiment with various spice mixes. You can use your preferred flavor blends with this chicken because it's so adaptable. For simple chicken tacos, use a taco seasoning first, then shred the chicken. Or prepare a quick batch of filling chicken chili using a chili seasoning. Naturally, your neighborhood grocery store carries a number of well-liked store-bought seasoning combinations. Therefore, don't be scared to discover your preferred combination.
    sideview of baked chicken breasts on a baking dish.

    Storing and Reheating

    • Freezing: Any leftovers should be kept in an airtight container. Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to three months or kept in the refrigerator for up to three days in a sealed container.
    • Reheating: Reheating chicken breasts over the next few days may cause them to become rather dry. Here's a quick tip: before reheating your chicken in the microwave, sprinkle it with a teaspoon or so of water and cover it with a microwave-safe lid. It will assist the chicken absorb some of the moisture by creating a small amount of steam, which will revitalize it!
    • Storing: Store the chicken for up to three months in airtight packaging or freezer-safe containers (we prefer our food saver bags to avoid freezer burn). Before reheating, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.

    Serving Suggestions

    You may serve these chicken breasts with a variety of side dishes. Some of my favorites are as follows:

    • Blackstone Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Cheesey Potato Wedges
    • Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes
    • Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes
    • Crispy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
    • Italian Grinder Chopped Salad
    Sideview of sliced baked chicken breasts on a serving plate.

    The BEST Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy!)

    Making my oven-baked chicken breast is incredibly easy and quick! For these incredibly delicious, fail-proof chicken breasts, all you need is a little olive oil, a unique spice blend, and some insider knowledge. It's easy, quick, and really delicious! It works well for meal preparation, as a salad topper, in chicken sandwiches, and as a main course.
    5 from 92 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: chicken, dinner, Main Course, quick and easy
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 23 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 264kcal
    Author: Imsen

    Equipment

    • Meat Tenderizer
    • Digital Meat Thermometer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INGREDIENTS

    • 3 boneless skinless chicken breast
    • 2 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 3 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley for garnish

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
    • In a large bowl, combine the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then, add olive oil until well combined.
    • The chicken breast should be placed on your chopping board. Cut off extra fat. then lay a piece of plastic wrap or parchment over the chicken to avoid spatter, gently pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts with a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer.
    • The seasoning mixture should be uniformly brushed over the chicken on both sides, flipping once.
    • The chicken breasts should be baked for 18 minutes after being placed in a baking dish, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on a thermometer.
    • After cooking, take the pan out of the oven, move the chicken to a plate or chopping board, and let it rest for five minutes before slicing.
    • Drizzle the pan juices over the chicken before serving, and sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top.

    Video

    NOTES

    • Freezing: Any leftovers should be kept in an airtight container. Cooked chicken can be frozen for up to three months or kept in the refrigerator for up to three days in a sealed container.
    • Reheating: Reheating chicken breasts over the next few days may cause them to become rather dry. Here's a quick tip: before reheating your chicken in the microwave, sprinkle it with a teaspoon or so of water and cover it with a microwave-safe lid. It will assist the chicken absorb some of the moisture by creating a small amount of steam, which will revitalize it!
    • Storing: Store the chicken for up to three months in airtight packaging or freezer-safe containers (we prefer our food saver bags to avoid freezer burn). Before reheating, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1296mg | Potassium: 473mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
    Keyword Baked Chicken Breasts
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Follow @ambitiousfoodieblog on Instagram, take a shot, and tag it #ambitiousfoodieblog! I love to see what you are making!

    If you tried this Baked Chicken Breast or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!

    Overhead view of sliced baked chicken breasts on a serving plate.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Air Fryer Chicken Breasts (Perfect Each Time!)
    • How to Boil Chicken Breasts
    • Oven Baked Chicken Legs ( Juicy! )
    • Creamy Chicken Stew (3 Ways!)

    Share or save this post for later!

    17 shares

    Welcome I'm Imene, author of the Ambitious Foodie.

    My name is Imene, and i am the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Ambitious Foodie. Welcome to my virtual kitchen! If you're wondering what's for dinner, you've come to the right place.

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    Comments

      5 from 92 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Hailey Young says

      November 27, 2025 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      'Fail-proof' is exactly what I need in my cooking life!

      Reply
    2. Clara Mae Johnson says

      November 28, 2025 at 4:19 am

      5 stars
      Wow, only 18 minutes? This is perfect for my family dinners!

      Reply
    3. John Doe says

      November 28, 2025 at 11:54 pm

      5 stars
      I love how easy this chicken recipe is! Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    4. Jessica says

      November 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      The recipe looks so delicious! Perfect for family gatherings! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    5. Naomi Silver says

      November 29, 2025 at 6:28 pm

      5 stars
      I love how quick this is! Perfect for busy nights!

      Reply
    6. Tommy Lee says

      November 30, 2025 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      I love baked chicken! Thanks for sharing this simple recipe!

      Reply
    7. Arden Whitlock says

      November 30, 2025 at 10:50 pm

      5 stars
      The seasoning mix sounds delicious! I will definitely try it out.

      Reply
    8. Eliza Friedman says

      December 01, 2025 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for the tips! I always struggle with cooking chicken.

      Reply
    9. Bristol Vaughn says

      December 03, 2025 at 2:54 pm

      5 stars
      'Drizzle the pan juices' sounds so tasty! I'll keep that in mind.

      Reply
    10. Daphne Caldwell says

      December 03, 2025 at 4:49 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, such simple ingredients! I think I can handle this!

      Reply
    11. Audrey Simmons says

      December 04, 2025 at 6:45 am

      5 stars
      'Fail-proof' is exactly what I need in the kitchen. Can't wait to make this!

      Reply
    12. Mia Johnson says

      December 05, 2025 at 11:43 pm

      5 stars
      I love how quick this chicken is to make. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    13. Anonymous says

      December 06, 2025 at 8:18 am

      5 stars
      [This comment has been left blank intentionally]

      Reply
    14. Jessica Lee says

      December 06, 2025 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, the spice blend sounds amazing! I want to try it soon!

      Reply
    15. Emma Louise Parker says

      December 07, 2025 at 5:54 am

      5 stars
      'Fail-proof' sounds perfect for me! Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    16. Anonymous says

      December 07, 2025 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      'Perfectly cooked chicken' sounds amazing. I'll definitely follow your advice on cooking times!

      Reply
    17. Rebecca Taylor says

      December 07, 2025 at 8:40 pm

      5 stars
      I love how you explain everything clearly. Can't wait to try baking chicken breasts!

      Reply
    18. Amelia Thornton says

      December 08, 2025 at 6:33 pm

      5 stars
      The spice blend sounds delicious! I'll definitely give this a go!

      Reply
    19. James Smith says

      December 08, 2025 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      I appreciate the clear instructions. Can't wait to make this dish!

      Reply
    20. Pearl Donovan says

      December 08, 2025 at 9:34 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I’m excited to make this for dinner tonight!

      Reply
    21. Liam Brown says

      December 09, 2025 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      The tips you provided are super helpful! Thank you!

      Reply
    22. Anonymous says

      December 09, 2025 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      !Great video tutorial too, it really helps me understand better.

      Reply
    23. Cecilia Montgomery says

      December 09, 2025 at 6:54 pm

      5 stars
      'Juicy' is the best word for chicken! Thanks for the tips on seasoning!

      Reply
    24. Oliver King says

      December 10, 2025 at 3:45 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! Perfect for meal prep, just what I needed!

      Reply
    25. James Parker says

      December 10, 2025 at 9:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love how quick this chicken recipe is! Perfect for busy days!

      Reply
    26. Anonymous says

      December 11, 2025 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      'Fail-proof' makes me feel confident to cook! Thank you for sharing your tips.

      Reply
    27. Reagan Holt says

      December 11, 2025 at 11:26 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    28. Danielle Howard says

      December 12, 2025 at 4:29 am

      5 stars
      I really like that you included tips on cooking time. Very helpful!

      Reply
    29. Lily Brown says

      December 14, 2025 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks so easy! I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    30. Sophie Lee says

      December 14, 2025 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the simple steps! I feel confident to make this!

      Reply
    31. Hazel Monroe says

      December 15, 2025 at 3:09 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this recipe is so easy! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    32. Frances Lily Moore says

      December 15, 2025 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the tips! I always overcook chicken, so this will help!

      Reply
    33. Tommy Reynolds says

      December 15, 2025 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! I think my family will love this chicken!

      Reply
    34. james says

      December 16, 2025 at 7:17 am

      5 stars
      this chicken breast recipe looks so promising! def on my todo list! thanks for it!

      Reply
    35. hanna says

      December 17, 2025 at 8:18 am

      5 stars
      it looks so juicy from the inside! thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    36. Edith Bowman says

      December 17, 2025 at 8:34 am

      5 stars
      I’m excited to make this for dinner tonight! Yummy!

      Reply
    37. Patricia O’Connor says

      December 17, 2025 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the video tutorial! It makes everything clearer!

      Reply
    38. Victoria Hughes says

      December 18, 2025 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      The seasoning sounds delicious! I’ll definitely give it a try!

      Reply
    39. Olivia Kate Morgan says

      December 18, 2025 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      I'm excited to bake chicken breasts for my family. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    40. Linda Matthews says

      December 18, 2025 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      I'm so glad I found this recipe. It seems foolproof!

      Reply
    41. Anonymous says

      December 19, 2025 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      'm excited to add this to my meal prep ideas. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    42. amanda says

      December 20, 2025 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      looks so yummy

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Hi, This is Imene! I'm the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Ambitious Foodie. Welcome to my virtual kitchen! If you're wondering what's for dinner, you've come to the right place.

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