Chicken Breasts in the Oven

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.