Juicy Oven Baked Chicken (Printable View)
Tender, flavorful baked chicken seasoned with herbs and spices for a versatile, healthy main dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
→ Marinade & Seasonings
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
08 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
→ Optional Garnish
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. For even cooking, pound the chicken to uniform thickness if desired.
03 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Stir until well blended.
04 - Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage.
05 - Place the seasoned chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
06 - Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
07 - Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
08 - Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You probably have everything in your pantry right now, no special grocery runs needed
- The seasoning blend creates this gorgeous golden crust that makes everyone think you spent way more effort than you actually did
02 -
- A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out and guarantees perfectly cooked chicken every single time
- Resting the meat is not optional—it's the difference between juicy chicken and dry disappointing chicken
03 -
- Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking for more even results
- If the chicken is browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil for the last few minutes