• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Contact

The Anthony Kitchen logo

  • Comfort Food
  • Southern
  • Tex-Mex
  • Dessert
  • Recipe Index
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Comfort Food
  • Southern Recipes
  • Tex-Mex & Mexican Food
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index
  • About Kelly
  • Contact
×
Home · Recipes · Chicken · Chicken Breasts in the Oven

Published: Feb 12, 2025 by Kelly Anthony · 10 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Chicken Breasts in the Oven

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

If you're baking boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts in the Oven for dinner, this is the recipe you want on hand. Nobody wants to serve dry, boring chicken, and even fewer of us want to eat it. That's why this chicken breast recipe is still my go-to after almost 20 years in the culinary world; nothing beats it!

Baked chicken breasts in the oven

Baking boneless, skinless chicken breasts doesn't get easier or more delicious than this--dependably juicy with full-flavored results. These perfectly cooked chicken breasts with excellent flavor can be found on rotation at our house.

I used this recipe once over a decade ago and have never looked back. The seasoning, the flavor, the results...everyone who has tried this recipe for making chicken breasts raves about it, and it has become their forever go-to for their homes.

Table of Contents

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Baked Chicken Breast Ingredients
  • How to Bake Chicken Breasts in the Oven
    • How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts at 375°F
  • How to Store Leftover Chicken Breasts
  • Leftover Chicken Breast Recipes

Why This Recipe Works

Clearly, there's more than one way to cook a chicken breast: fry it, stuff it, or even blacken it, but baked chicken breasts can be used in so many different recipes. It's a kitchen skill well worth learning to master.

If you're looking for a simple, versatile recipe for baking chicken breasts without drying them out, you've come to the right place. This recipe is a great base for chicken breasts on their own as the sole protein in your meal or getting them ready to be a part of superstar dishes like chicken primavera or chicken pesto pasta.

And we don't want to forget one of our favorite ways we like to eat chicken breasts here in Texas: pan-fried. You still get that uber juicy and tender chicken breast but with a crispy golden outside any Southerner loves.

I'm sure you are all too aware of how finicky this ingredient can be. One wrong move, and you've got dry, rubbery chicken no one (and I mean no one) enjoys. The good news? This recipe is beyond easy and requires no advance prep like making brine or pounding out the chicken. It yields perfectly cooked chicken breasts every single time.

Poorly cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the result of common issues home cooks often face. We've all been there. But luckily for you, we've got the solutions.

The Problem: Overcooking.

  • The Fix: Larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook, while smaller chicken breasts require less time in the oven, so check your chicken at the 25-minute mark using an instant-read thermometer to quickly assess the temperature. The chicken breasts will continue to rise and temperature by about five degrees after they have come out of the oven, so if the chicken is between 160-164°F, you can pull it. If the chicken has yet to reach the 160s, allow it to bake for a few more minutes.

The Problem: Uneven Cooking.

  • The Fix: Using an oven-safe rack over a rimmed baking sheet to cook your chicken allows for air to circulate underneath and on top of your chicken. This ensures the chicken doesn't cook unevenly because it keeps the delicate chicken breast from coming into direct contact with the hot pan.

The Problem: Bland.

  • The Fix: Prep your chicken in a way that keeps the seasoning in place and use plenty of it. Pat away all of the excess moisture using a paper towel, then add oil, which forms a protective coating around the chicken, keeping it from overcooking, and then add seasoning. The oil will help the seasoning to stay in place.

Baked Chicken Breast Ingredients

Chicken Breasts | Fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are preferable to frozen. If using frozen chicken breasts, place them in the refrigerator to safely thaw for 24-36 hours in advance. We recommend organic as the flavor is cleaner.

Oil | The oil also forms a protective coating around the chicken, keeping it from cooking too quickly on the outside before it can cook through on the inside. This is key to juicy, succulent chicken baked in the oven! You can use olive oil or avocado oil for oven-baked chicken breasts.

Seasoning | Chicken is bland and takes on other flavors very well like our lemon pepper chicken! Don't be afraid to season chicken liberally. A blend of Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder is our favorite mix for a simple baked chicken breast that will work alongside (or in) any type of cuisine. But don't be afraid to mix it up either. If you're craving a salty-sweet chicken vibe, bacon-wrapped chicken is where it's at.

How to Bake Chicken Breasts in the Oven

Remove Excess Moisture | The first step to perfectly cooked chicken breasts in the oven is to pat away all of the excess moisture using a paper towel. This helps the oil to adhere to the chicken and the seasoning stay put.

Removing excess moisture from an uncooked chicken breast with a paper towel

Add Oil | Drizzle the chicken breasts with cooking oil and rub all over to adhere.

Adding oil to uncooked chicken breasts

Season | Add the seasoning to the chicken breasts and rub all over to adhere.

Seasoning for boneless, skinless chicken breast

Bake | Cook the chicken at 375°F on an oven-safe cooling rack.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a cooking rack

How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts at 375°F

Chicken breasts will take about 25-30 minutes at 375°F to cook to reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. However, cooking time for chicken breasts is not always as cut and dry as we would like.

The time it takes for a chicken breast to cook through is dependent upon multiple factors:

  • The size of the breast. Larger chicken breasts will take longer to cook, while smaller chicken breasts require less time in the oven.
  • The temperature of the breast going into the oven. For example, if the chickens were to go immediately from refrigerator to oven, they would be cold going in and would take longer to cook. If you set the chickens out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes prior to cooking and remove the chill, it will take less time to cook.
  • The cooking vessel. Chickens cook slower if placed in a thick-walled, ceramic baking dish (a slow conductor of heat) than on a thin, stainless steel sheet pan (a quick conductor of heat).

Because of these variables, it's always best practice to have an instant-read thermometer on hand so you can quickly assess the temperature of your chicken breasts to detect when they are ready to be pulled from the oven.

Baked boneless, skinless chicken breasts

How to Store Leftover Chicken Breasts

Store | Store your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an airtight container for up to three days in fridge.

Freeze | Place your chicken breasts in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or freezer-safe container with little headspace for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Leftover Chicken Breast Recipes

Leftover baked chicken breasts are wonderful for using in casseroles, enchiladas, salads, soups, and more. You can always find something delicious to do with them! Here are a few of our favorite ways to use them.

Casseroles | Chicken casserole, Mexican chicken casserole, chicken spaghetti, chicken fajita casserole, chicken pot pie, broccoli and rice casserole, and king ranch casserole.

Soups | Chicken tortellini soup and chicken and dumplings.

Salads | Buffalo chicken salad, cobb salad, chicken Caesar salad, bruschetta chicken salad, chicken salad with grapes and almonds, and Panera fuji apple salad.

 

Baked chicken breasts in the oven
Print Recipe
4.69 from 19 votes

Oven-Baked Chicken Breasts

A simple and foolproof recipe for perfect oven-baked chicken breasts!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 166kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2-3 breasts)
  • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • Fresh herbs like parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Have ready a rimmed sheet pan topped with an oven-safe baking rack. The rack should fit snugly inside the pan. 
  • Pat chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture, allowing for the oil to better adhere to the breast. Drizzle olive oil evenly over chicken and rub in on both sides. 
  • Season the chicken generously with the seasoning. Evenly massage seasoning onto breasts, and place chicken atop of rack. 
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes (see notes), or until cooked through. Allow to rest about 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The thicker your chicken breasts are, the more time they will require in the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1.3mg

 

 

 

« 35 Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes
Shrimp and Rice »
592 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Looking for more recipes?

Be sure to check out the recipe index where you can browse recipes by meal type and category!

Check Out the Recipe Index

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy Gordon says

    September 04, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    I am loving this easy and simply way to prepare chicken! Thank you for sharing and making life a little easier during crazy dinner time!

    Reply
  2. Amanda says

    September 04, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    Lots of great suggestions here. It’d amazing how something as simple as baked chicken does call for proper technique. Looks delicious!

    Reply
  3. Dahn says

    September 04, 2018 at 1:39 pm

    Great recipe! We all need a go-to chicken recipe that doesn't involve a lot of fuss and time.

    Reply
  4. Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says

    September 04, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    I always appreciate an easily prepared dinner! I'll be checking out that seasoning!

    Reply
  5. Edyta at Eating European says

    September 04, 2018 at 3:40 pm

    Great tutorial! Everyone needs a recipe for a perfect baked chicken breast. I will be using it often 🙂

    Reply
  6. nikita kanodia says

    October 05, 2018 at 4:08 pm

    Can I make this without using any oil?

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      October 08, 2018 at 11:34 am

      Hi Nikita! No, I would not recommend making these without using any oil. So sorry to disappoint!!!

      Reply
  7. Kelly says

    May 14, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    Love your recipes, making this chicken now

    Reply
  8. Faith says

    May 01, 2021 at 3:06 am

    I've made this recipe three times now, perfect every time. In the past I've really struggled with chicken breasts so thank you for my new go to recipe!

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      August 29, 2021 at 10:46 pm

      That makes me so happy! Thank you, Faith 🙂

      Reply
4.69 from 19 votes (14 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

Trending recipes

  • Homemade hamburger seasoning
    The Best Homemade Hamburger Seasoning
  • Turkey Sloppy Joe with potato chips and sliced pickles
    Easy Turkey Sloppy Joes (Sweet, Smoky, and So Satisfying)
  • Chicken a la king poured over biscuits with extra biscuits in the background.
    20 Easy Leftover Chicken Recipes for Quick, Delicious Dinners
  • How to Make a Spiked Arnold Palmer (John Daly Cocktail)
  • Hugo spritz cocktail
    How to Make a Hugo Spritz (The Iconic Elderflower Cocktail)
  • Elote Seasoning
    Elote Seasoning Recipe (Better than Trader Joe's)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign up for weekly recipes

Contact

  • Work with me
  • Contact

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
We loved this recipe!!
Will definitely make this again. Thank you for sharing!

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.