Baked Chicken Breasts

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These oven baked chicken breasts are perfectly seasoned, flavorful and juicy. This is the best baked chicken recipe because the breasts are infused with spices and stay moist – a great way to meal prep chicken for the week!

up close overhead view of a Baked Chicken Breast sliced on top of rice with a side of broccoli on a plate


Chicken breasts are easy and versatile to make and enjoy, however it can be difficult to find new and fresh ways to eat them (check out these homemade chicken nuggets, yum)- let alone recipes that are easy enough to make during the week.

Well, this baked chicken breasts recipe is the best – resulting in moist, juicy, flavorful chicken! It’s easy to make and so versatile it can be paired with just about any of your favorite sides (like roasted broccoli – yum) for a healthy meal your whole family with love.

This recipe calls for coating the chicken in a spice rub and letting it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so the flavor penetrates all the way to the center of the breasts.

There are ways to shorten this, that we’ll discuss later, but I love that I can prepare the recipe in the afternoon and they’re ready to bake at dinner time when things are pretty busy around here.

overhead view of 4 Baked Chicken Breasts on a white serving platter

Baked Chicken Breasts: Ingredients & Substituions

overhead view of the labeled ingredients in this Baked Chicken Breasts recipe
  • Chicken Breasts. You can use thighs, wings, or bone-in chicken breasts if you prefer. You will just need to adjusting the baking time accordingly.
  • Olive oil. any neutral oil works in this recipe, the alternative I recommend to olive oil is avocado oil.
  • Spices (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder): You can change up the spices if you’d like or add extras. I sometimes like adding turmeric or mustard powder but I find the recipe turns out best as it is written.
  • Lemon juice. Lime juice can be used in place of lemon juice, if desired.
overhead view of four Baked Chicken Breasts in a white baking dish.

How to Cook Chicken Breasts in the Oven

Let’s walk through what I think is the best way to cook chicken breasts in the oven! Don’t forget to watch the video.

Make the Spice Mixture

Mix together salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Coat Chicken Breasts

Next, put the chicken in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, turn to coat each breast with oil. Evenly space the chicken breasts on a wire rack on a baking sheet.

two photos showing how to cook chicken breasts in the oven - making the spice mixture & coating the chicken with oil

Let the Chicken Rest

Next, sprinkle each chicken breast evenly with spice mixture on both sides, patting it down to make sure it sticks.

Then, cover the coated chicken breasts and let them sit in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. This allows the spices to penetrate all the way to the core of the chicken so every bite is bursting with flavor.

You can shorten this and let the breasts sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or you can just go ahead and bake them right after coating and this baked chicken will still be delicious!

overhead photo showing how to cook chicken breasts in the oven - breasts coated with spice mixture on a wire rack on a baking sheet

Bake

When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and grease a 9×13” baking dish. I always bake my chicken breasts at 400 degrees (a generally higher temperature) to seal in the moisture.

Transfer the chicken breasts from the wire rack to the baking dish and drizzle the top of the chicken with lemon juice (if desired).

Bake for 15-25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Baking time depends a great deal on the thickness of your chicken breasts – thinner breasts cook faster than thicker ones.

I always recommend using a quick-read thermometer when cooking meat to ensure it is done properly.

overhead photo showing how to cook chicken breasts in the oven - breasts in the baking dish before baking

Serve

Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving warm. Here are some ways we enjoy eating this baked chicken:

Store/Freeze

This oven baked chicken can be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Or in the freezer for up to 1 month. I suggest storing it sliced so it’s easy to grab some out of the refrigerator/freezer to use

up close overhead photo of 4 Baked Chicken Breasts in a baking dish with lemon

Baked Chicken Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to bake a chicken breast at 400?

A small chicken breast (4 oz like in this recipe), takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to bake at 400 degrees F.

Should you cover chicken breast in the oven?

You can cover the chicken to cook it, however I do not and this recipe still turns out moist and delicious.

What is the best temperature to bake chicken at?

I like to bake chicken at 400 degrees F. It’s hot enough to cook the outside and seal in the moisture but not so hot that it dries out the chicken.

Can I cook chicken in the oven without foil?

Yes. I don’t cook this chicken with foil and it’s perfect! Use a glass or ceramic baking dish.

How can you tell when chicken breasts are done?

The best way to tell when chicken breasts are done is to use an instant read thermometer! You want the chicken breasts to reach 160-165 degrees F. Remember they will continue cooking slightly in the pan when it is removed from the oven.

overhead view of a Baked Chicken Breast sliced on top of rice with a side of broccoli on a plate

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Oven Baked Chicken Breasts

Laura
These oven baked chicken breasts are perfectly seasoned, flavorful and juicy. This is the best baked chicken recipe because the breasts are infused with spices and stay moist – a great way to meal prep chicken for the week!
5 from 2 votes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 151
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting (Marinating)2 hours
Total Time2 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Place a metal wire rack on a baking sheet.
  • Mix together salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Place chicken in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, turn to coat each breast with oil.
  • Evenly space the chicken breasts on the wire rack on the baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle each chicken breast evenly with spice mixture on both sides, patting it down to make sure it sticks.
  • Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours. (note: You can shorten this and let the breasts sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or you can just bake them right after coating and this baked chicken will still be delicious).
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9×13” baking dish.
  • Transfer the chicken breasts from the wire rack to the baking dish.   
  • Drizzle the top of the chicken with lemon juice (if desired).
  • Bake for 15-25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Baking time depends a great deal on the thickness of your chicken breasts.
  • Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting and serving warm.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • Chicken Breasts. You can use thighs, wings, or bone-in chicken breasts if you prefer. You will just need to adjusting the baking time accordingly.
  • Olive oil. any neutral oil works in this recipe, the alternative I recommend to olive oil is avocado oil.
  • Spices (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder): You can change up the spices if you’d like or add extras. I sometimes like adding turmeric or mustard powder but I find the recipe turns out best as it is written.
  • Lemon juice. Lime juice can be used in place of lemon juice, if desired.
Store/Freeze
This oven baked chicken can be store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Or in the freezer for up to 1 month. I suggest storing it sliced so it’s easy to grab some out of the refrigerator/freezer to use

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25pound | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 448mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

You’ll love these recipes




latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

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

Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    So delicious! I have made this many times and it has become my go to baked chicken. This is in my “Laura’s Best” list. Thank you!

    1. Thank you so much Sara!! I’m so glad you love it and I feel so honored that you have a “Laura’s Best” list! 🙂