Oven-Baked Chicken – These juicy oven-baked chicken breasts come out perfect each and every time! Say goodbye to dry chicken with this easy recipe for tender and flavorful chicken breasts.
SIMPLE BRINE FOR CHICKEN
Take 4 chicken breasts and put them in a large bowl.
Pour 4 cups lukewarm water (about 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit) in a separate large cup or bowl and add 1/4 cup salt; stir to combine.
Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts and set aside for 20 to 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
HOW TO MAKE JUICY OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS
When ready, pour out the brine, then take each chicken piece and rinse under cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
Arrange chicken breasts in a 9×13 baking dish; rub olive oil all over each chicken breast and set aside.
HOMEMADE CHICKEN BREAST SEASONING
Prepare the seasoning by mixing together salt, fresh ground pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, dried rosemary, and dried parsley.
Rub the seasoning all over each chicken breast.
HOW LONG TO BAKE CHICKEN BREASTS
Transfer your chicken to the oven and cook at 425˚F for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Thinner breasts will need less time, thicker breasts might need a little more time in the oven. Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
As you can see, this method requires the simplest, easiest way to bake moist and tender chicken breasts in the oven. What’s even better is that the chicken is just as tender and juicy even after refrigerating for 3 days.
Ingredients FOR THE CHICKEN BREASTS
4 (1 pound) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups lukewarm water about 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit
1/4 cup salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
CHICKEN SEASONING BLEND
▢1/4 teaspoon salt, (optional - chicken will have absorbed some of the salt from the salted water)
▢1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
▢1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
▢1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
▢1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
▢1/2 teaspoon onion powder
▢1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
▢1/2 teaspoon dried basil
▢1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
▢1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
▢fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425F.
Place chicken breasts in a large bowl and set aside.
In a large measuring cup or a mixing bowl combine lukewarm water and salt; stir and pour over chicken breasts. Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes. You can also cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours.
In the meantime, prepare the Chicken Seasoning Blend.
Combine salt, fresh ground pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, dried rosemary, and dried parsley in a small bowl; using a fork, stir around the seasonings until thoroughly incorporated. Set aside.
Pour out the saltwater and rinse each chicken breast under cold water; pat dry with paper towels.
Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and rub the olive oil all over each chicken breast.
Sprinkle seasoning blend evenly over the chicken breasts on all sides. You don't have to use the entire seasoning blend; use as much as you like.
Transfer to the oven and cook for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Thinner breasts will need less time, thicker breasts might need a little more time in the oven. Start checking for doneness at the 20-minute mark.
For a browned, crispy top, set your oven to broil on high for the final 4 minutes and broil the chicken until golden on top.
Remove from oven and transfer chicken breasts to a serving plate.
Let chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve.
