Oven baked chicken does not have to be dry! Learn the best way to cook chicken breasts in the oven with this quick fool-proof guide. Featuring video and step-by-step photos!
Clearly, there's more than one way to cook a chicken breast -- fry it, stuff it, or even blacken it. But, if you're looking for a versatile, easy-make recipe for baking chicken breasts without drying them out, you've come to the right place.
So, how do you bake chicken to total perfection every single time? The answer seems simple: Don’t over bake it. But, when it comes to boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the oven, sometimes we need a little more help than that.
With a touch of technique, you can have your perfectly cooked chicken breasts, and eat it too.
COOKING CHICKEN BREASTS IN THE OVEN
Us moms are forever hunting for recipes, and new things to do with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, so I think it’s fairly important we master baking chicken to perfection before we move on to dressing it up. Because no matter how you dress up dry chicken, it’s still dry, and that just won't do.
USE A PAPER TOWEL TO PAT THE CHICKEN BREASTS DRY
The first step to perfectly cooked chicken breasts in the oven is pat away all of the excess moisture using a paper towel. This will help the oil to adhere to the chicken, not only helping seasoning stay put.
COAT THE CHICKEN WITH 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, canola or vegetable oil for oven-baked chicken breasts.
HOW TO SEASON OVEN BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS
Chicken is bland and takes on other flavors very well, which is great when you consider it's one of the reasons chicken breasts are so versatile and can be used in so many dishes! However, not so great when we are eating chicken breasts all on their lonesome.
Season chicken liberally. TAK House Seasoning is a blend of Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. I make a big batch and keep it in my spice cabinet. It's the perfect seasoning for chicken and my go-to! You can get that recipe here.
THE BEST TEMPERATURE TO COOK CHICKEN BREASTS
Technically speaking, we are going to roast, rather than bake, our chicken -- 375° is the best temperature for cooking chicken breasts.
BAKE THE CHICKEN ON AN OVEN-SAFE RACK
Cooking the chicken at a higher temperature, positioned on an oven-safe cooling rack will allow for air to circulate both underneath and on top of your chicken, essentially meaning we are roasting. This ensures even cooking and browning. Browning equals flavor, so this is a very good thing for our chicken breasts because as we all know, on their own chicken breast are bland as bland can be.
Once you’ve mastered the recipe below, meet me back here for quick access to 10 more recipes to up your boneless, skinless chicken breast game. Enjoy!
Use in recipes like:
Easy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds, Pimento Cheese & Chicken Sliders, Bruschetta Chicken Salad, Creamy Chicken & Dumplings, King Ranch Casserole, Chicken Spaghetti
Try it on top of:
Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2-3 breasts)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2-3 teaspoons TAK House Seasoning (get the recipe at TheAnthonyKitchen.com, or use your favorite poultry seasoning)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. 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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Cindy Gordon says
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!
Amanda says
Lots of great suggestions here. It’d amazing how something as simple as baked chicken does call for proper technique. Looks delicious!
Dahn says
Great recipe! We all need a go-to chicken recipe that doesn't involve a lot of fuss and time.
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
I always appreciate an easily prepared dinner! I'll be checking out that seasoning!
Edyta at Eating European says
Great tutorial! Everyone needs a recipe for a perfect baked chicken breast. I will be using it often 🙂
nikita kanodia says
Can I make this without using any oil?
Kelly Anthony says
Hi Nikita! No, I would not recommend making these without using any oil. So sorry to disappoint!!!
Kelly says
Love your recipes, making this chicken now
Faith says
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!
Kelly Anthony says
That makes me so happy! Thank you, Faith 🙂