Print

Simple Juicy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe Perfectly Moist in 3 Easy Steps

simple juicy baked chicken breast - featured image

A quick and easy baked chicken breast recipe that yields juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken using just three simple ingredients and minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (68 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste (coarse sea salt preferred)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of garlic powder or smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and allow it to reach the temperature.
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. In a small bowl, mix olive oil with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder or smoked paprika.
  4. Brush or rub the olive oil mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
  5. Place the chicken breasts spaced evenly apart in a glass or ceramic baking dish (or a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet).
  6. Bake uncovered for 18-22 minutes, starting to check at 18 minutes with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part; remove when it reads 160°F (71°C).
  7. Remove the chicken from the oven and tent loosely with foil; let rest for 5-7 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Slice against the grain and serve warm.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before seasoning is crucial for a good crust. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Let the chicken rest after baking to keep it juicy. If chicken browns too fast, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking. Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, juicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken, quick dinner, simple chicken breast