Description
These Baked Chicken Breasts are simple yet flavorful, made with juicy chicken seasoned to perfection. Ideal for quick dinners or healthy meals, this recipe is a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- If your chicken breasts are pre-brined, skip this step. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups lukewarm water with 1/4 cup kosher salt until dissolved. Add 2 cups cold water or ice to cool down the brine. Submerge chicken in the brine for 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Rinse with cold water and pat dry.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a large baking dish. Brush both sides with melted butter or olive oil. In another bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, then sprinkle over both sides of the chicken.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until chicken is no longer pink, checking with a cooking thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F. For a crispy top, broil for an additional 3-5 minutes at the end while monitoring closely.
- Remove the chicken from the oven, transfer to a plate, and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Letting the chicken rest ensures juiciness is preserved.
Using a thermometer is the best way to know when the chicken is perfectly cooked.
Feel free to experiment with other spices for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg