Oven baked chicken breast is simple, delicious, and easy to prepare!

These juicy baked chicken breasts are simply seasoned and baked until tender and juicy!

They’re perfect for dinner, perfect for meal prep, and easy to chop for chicken salad.

close up of Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

Ingredients for Baked Chicken Breast

This juicy oven baked chicken breast recipe is juicy and delicious – I make it on repeat. Baked chicken breast is great for meal prep and perfect for adding to casseroles or soups.

Chicken breast – This recipe uses boneless skinless chicken breasts, approximately 6 oz each. The chicken is drizzled with oil for better browning on the outside and to help the seasonings stick.

Ingredient Tip

Chicken breasts can vary in size from 5 oz to 10 oz, so the cooking time can vary. Use average-sized boneless breasts (about 6oz) or adjust the cooking time if needed.

Seasonings – Save the chicken marinade for the grill and use seasonings for baked chicken breasts. I use seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, paprika and black pepper.

Variations

  • Add onion powder, garlic powder, or other spices like chili powder.
  • Use your favorite chicken seasoning, or try cajun seasoning or taco seasoning.
  • You can replace chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs. Bake them for about 20 – 22 minutes or until they reach 165°F.
Baked Chicken sliced diagonally for serving on a wood board

How to Make Baked Chicken Breast

Making perfect chicken breasts is very easy; the key is in the cooking time and temperature.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Mix chicken breasts with olive oil, herbs, & spices (recipe below).
  3. Place the chicken breasts on a greased baking pan for 22-26 minutes.

Holly’s Top Tip

Avoid Overcooking: My top tip for juicy chicken breast is to ensure you don’t overcook. A meat thermometer (which is inexpensive) is a must-have in my kitchen.

chicken breasts tossed with seasoning for baking

How Long To Bake Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts are naturally lean; overcooking will dry them out. The times below are for 6oz chicken breasts (thaw if fozen).

  • To Bake Chicken Breast at 400°F: This will take between 22 and 26 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
  • You can cook chicken breasts at 350°F for closer to 25-30 minutes (although I prefer the higher heat above).

Tips for Juicy Chicken

The chicken breast should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

  • Chicken breasts vary in thickness; for even cooking, use the flat side of a meat mallet (or even a rolling pin) to pound the thicker size to a more uniform thickness.
  • Remove chicken from the oven at 160-162°F. It’ll rise to 165°F as it rests on the pan.
  • Once cooked remove the chicken from the baking dish and transfer to a plate to rest.
Baked Chicken resting on a cutting board

More Chicken Breast Recipes

Did you make these Oven Baked Chicken Breasts? Leave us a rating and a comment below!

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Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Baked chicken breasts are a simple and delicous – they're perfect for dinner or meal prep!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Resting time 5 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings 6 servings
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Ingredients  

  • 4 to 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 oz each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt or table salt
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a rimmed baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine chicken breasts, olive oil, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well to coat.
  • Transfer the chicken to the prepared pan and bake uncovered for 22 to 26 minutes or until the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Transfer to a plate or cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Cut into slices and drizzle with the juices.

Video

Notes

Smaller chicken breasts will take closer to 22 minutes, larger chicken breasts will take closer to 26 minutes. For best results, use an instant read thermometer.
Chicken breasts can vary in size from 5 oz to 10 oz. The cooking time listed is for average-sized boneless breasts, 5oz to 7oz each.
If the chicken breasts are very thick on one end, pound with a meat mallet to a more even thickness. 
Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, on the stovetop in a pan, or in the microwave. Or, chicken breast can be added to soups, salads, or casseroles! 
4.96 from 449 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 236 | Protein: 40g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 412mg | Potassium: 696mg | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 2.2mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American

What to Serve with Baked Chicken

We love baked chicken with a simple side dish and a fresh vegetable. Here are some of our fave sides.

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. This is the ONLY way I make chicken now!! I love it! The juiciest chicken breast I’ve ever had! When making, I always make enough to make her divine classic chicken salad. Another 5 star recipe!!5 stars

  2. This chicken recipe is very flavorful, moist and easy to make. Your recipes are always my “go-to”. I’ve never have been disappointed. Always looking forward to your daily e-mail for recipes.5 stars

  3. I love your spice jars. Where did you get them please and thank you. My spices are a mess and driving me crazy. Could you possibly take a picture of how you store your spices. The tiered shelf doesn’t work form me. I’m short and if I reach for one in the back, they fall over and fall out onto my kitchen counter.

      1. That depends on the spice, but for most spices we use the 4 ounce size.

  4. Recipe looks great, cannot wait to try it, maybe this weekend.
    As far as seasoning goes, one of my favorites is to sprinkle chicken or fish with lemon pepper. Yum!!
    Being on a reduced sodium diet, I appreciate this recipe having a reasonable sodium level. Thank you.