Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast

Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon salt

    divided

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

    about 4 ounces each

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons pepper

Directions

  1. 1

    In a large bowl, whisk together the water and 2 tablespoons salt until the salt is dissolved. Add the chicken and let it brine for 20 to 30 minutes.

  2. 2

    Preheat the oven to 425°. Drain the chicken and discard the brine. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Transfer the chicken to a greased sheet pan or a 13x9-inch baking dish. Brush it with olive oil, then sprinkle it with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Editor's Tip: If your chicken breasts are very thick on one end and not on the other, you'll want to flatten the chicken with a meat mallet until the breasts have an even thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly. A heavy skillet or saucepan can also be used if you don't have a meat mallet on hand.

  3. 3

    Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°. Editor's Tip: The temperature of the chicken is important. Under 165° puts you at risk of foodborne illness, but over 165° will make the chicken dry and tough, so be sure to use a reliable meat thermometer.

  4. 4

    Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and transfer them to a cutting board. Let them rest for about five minutes, then slice or chop them as desired. Editor's Tip: Resting is one of the best ways to make tough meat tender. It allows the juices to redistribute in the chicken, locking in the moisture so the juices don't spill out once cut.

Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast

Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast

Similar Recipes

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Recipe VIDEO above. My tips for a truly juicy, Oven Baked Chicken Breast: a touch of brown sugar in the seasoning which makes the chicken sweat while it bakes so it creates a semi "sauce", and cooking fast on a high temp! Go by the colour of the crust to know when it's cooked through. 

23 minutes4 servings286 kcal
Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Oven baked chicken breast is coated in a simple, but complex flavorful seasoning mixture, baked to tender and moist perfection in less than 20 minutes! It's a foolproof, delicious weeknight dinner go-to that will never let you down.

23 minutes4 servings
Baked Chicken Breast

Baked Chicken Breast

Baked Chicken Breast couldn't be easier to make or more delicious! Learn how to make tender, juicy, perfectly seasoned oven baked chicken breasts. This recipe is sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation!

28 minutes4 servings
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

110 minutes
The Best Roasted Chicken

The Best Roasted Chicken

This Whole Roasted Chicken recipe is simple, comforting, and so delicious. All you need are a few ingredients and a little time to make perfectly juicy, tender, and flavorful roasted chicken every single time.

85 minutes6 servings354 kcal
Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma

Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma

Here is a recipe for an oven-roasted version of the classic street-side flavor bomb usually cooked on a rotisserie. It is perfect for an evening with family and friends. Serve with pita and tahini, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, some olives, chopped parsley, some feta, fried eggplant, hummus swirled with harissa, rice or rice pilaf. You can make the white sauce that traditionally accompanies it by cutting plain yogurt with mayonnaise and lemon juice, and flecking it with garlic. For a red to offset it, simmer ketchup with red pepper flakes and a hit of red-wine vinegar until it goes syrupy and thick, or just use your favorite hot sauce instead.

45 minutes4 to 6
The Best Baked Chicken Breasts

The Best Baked Chicken Breasts

The downfall of most baked chicken breast recipes is the long time in the oven that dries out the lean meat before it can fully cook through. We've solved that problem with a couple of secret weapons. The first is white wine added to the baking dish, which creates steam. (While we think it’s worth using wine, you could substitute stock or even water.) The second is a piece of parchment paper placed directly on top of the chicken to lock in the moisture during baking. The result is the best boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are plump and juicy, with a minimum of hands-on time. A bunch of parsley and lemon slices infuse the dish with fresh flavor and the seasoning is neutral enough that the chicken can be used for a variety of different meals. Serve it alongside vegetables and grains, shredded into soup, spiced up for tacos or chopped on top of salad. Feel free to switch up the herbs and citrus if you have leftovers in the fridge to use up.

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

Tender, perfectly seasoned, and juicy oven-baked chicken breasts are done in 20 minutes and are ideal for a quick dinner or meal prep.

25 minutes

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Searching for a reliably tender and flavorful oven-roasted chicken breast that never disappoints? This simple recipe delivers perfectly cooked chicken every time, making healthy eating delicious and effortless. Say goodbye to dry, bland chicken and hello to a moist, savory main course.

The secret to consistently juicy results lies in a foundational technique: a quick brine. By pre-treating the boneless skinless chicken breast halves with a salt-water solution, you ensure that moisture is locked in, preventing the dry, rubbery texture often associated with roasted chicken. Coupled with a touch of olive oil and a simple seasoning of salt and pepper, you're set for success in creating a truly satisfying dish.

You can expect wonderfully moist and tender chicken with a beautifully savory flavor profile. The straightforward seasoning of salt and pepper allows the natural taste of the chicken to shine through, making it incredibly versatile for any meal. This lean protein is a fantastic foundation for countless dishes, providing a satisfying, clean taste without fuss or complexity.

While simple, this oven-roasted chicken breast is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to enhance the basic salt and pepper seasoning with your favorite dried herbs like thyme or rosemary, or a pinch of garlic powder for an extra layer of flavor. For a slightly different twist, consider a dash of paprika or onion powder to customize it to your liking.

This versatile roasted chicken breast is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, efficient meal prep, or as a robust protein component for salads and sandwiches. Serve it alongside your favorite roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, or a side of quinoa for a complete and wholesome meal.

Frequently Asked Questions