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–+ servings
Baked chicken breasts seasoned with spices and sautéed green beans nestle together in a round, black cast iron pot on a light gray surface.

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Perfect Baked Chicken Breasts are juicy, tasty, and so simple to make. With this easy chicken recipe, your dinners will always be delicious!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon EACH: onion powder and garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon EACH: chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, sub oil if you don't eat dairy - see notes
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts

Instructions 

  • Position an oven rack in the top third of your oven and preheat it to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
    2 tablespoons sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon EACH: onion powder and garlic powder, 1 teaspoon EACH: chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper
    image for recipe instruction: A person mixes various spices in a white bowl with a fork on a marble surface, preparing the perfect blend for baked chicken breasts.
  • Heat an ovenproof pan over high heat. Once it's hot, add the butter and let it melt then immediately remove it from the heat. The butter will brown almost instantly over high heat.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    image for recipe instruction: A non-stick frying pan with two dollops of butter, partially melted, on a marble countertop—perfect for starting your baked chicken breasts recipe.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a bowl and pour the browned butter over the top. Sprinkle the spices evenly over both sides of the chicken. Place the chicken and any butter (it will solidify) into the pan you used to brown the butter. Add 2 tablespoons of water to the pan.
    4 boneless chicken breasts
    image for recipe instruction: A hand uses a spatula to flip seasoned raw chicken breasts—perfect for baked chicken breasts—in a black frying pan on a marble surface.
  • Bake the chicken uncovered for 18 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. (Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check this.) Let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the juices from the bottom of the pan over the chicken and serve.
    image for recipe instruction: Four seasoned baked chicken breasts cook gently in a nonstick skillet on a marble countertop, with just a touch of oil glistening in the pan.

Notes

Pan size: Choose an ovenproof pan that is just the right size for the number of chicken breasts you're cooking. You don't want it to be too big or the juices will evaporate.
Pan selection: If you don't have an ovenproof pan, use a small skillet to brown the butter and a baking dish to cook the chicken.
Butter vs oil: Using butter will give you the best flavor. If you opt to use oil instead, skip browning the butter in step two.
Cooking time: Medium-sized chicken breasts will cook in about 18 minutes, but the exact time depends on several factors, including the thickness of the chicken, your specific oven temperature (which can vary), altitude, and pan size. Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to check if the chicken is fully cooked. 
Serving: 1 chicken breast, Calories: 257kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 126mg, Sodium: 835mg, Potassium: 679mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 373IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg