Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable)

Flavorful baked chicken breasts with aromatic seasonings, perfect for weeknight dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

→ Marinade / Seasoning

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 smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
08 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
09 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

→ Garnish (Optional)

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
11 - Lemon wedges

# Steps:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
04 - In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne (if using). Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and rub in well.
05 - Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
06 - Bake for 18–25 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
08 - Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This method delivers juicy chicken every single time without any fancy techniques or equipment
  • The seasoning blend creates a beautiful crust that locks in all the natural flavors
02 -
  • Pounding the chicken to even thickness before cooking is the secret to never having dry edges while waiting for the center to finish
  • A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out and prevents overcooking
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • The smoked paprika creates such a beautiful crust you do not even need to brown the chicken first

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