Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable)

Juicy herb-seasoned chicken breasts baked to golden perfection—a healthy weeknight main dish ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 5–6 oz each

→ Marinade and Seasoning

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp paprika
05 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
06 - ½ tsp onion powder
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Optional Garnish

09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
10 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts thoroughly dry with paper towels and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, dried Italian herbs, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, stirring until a uniform paste forms.
04 - Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage for balanced flavor.
05 - Bake for 18 to 25 minutes depending on thickness, until the internal temperature of the thickest portion registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
06 - Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before slicing.
07 - Scatter chopped fresh parsley over the sliced chicken and serve with lemon wedges alongside.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The seasoning rub comes together in about thirty seconds with spices you probably already have tucked in your pantry.
  • It delivers genuinely juicy chicken breasts without any brining or marinating tricks, though brining makes it even better.
  • Cleanup is nearly nonexistent if you line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 -
  • An instant read thermometer is the single tool that will save you from overcooked, chalky chicken more reliably than any timer.
  • If your chicken breasts are very thick on one end, place them between plastic wrap and pound them slightly with a heavy pan or mallet for even cooking.
03 -
  • Let the seasoned chicken sit on the counter for five minutes before baking so the oil has time to penetrate the surface layer of the meat.
  • Broil for the last sixty seconds if you want a slightly charred, crispy edge that makes the dish feel like it came off a grill.

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