Oven Baked Chicken Breast (Printable)

Tender, juicy chicken breasts baked to perfection with a savory spice blend. Great for quick meals, meal prepping, or boosting protein.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6–8 oz each)

→ Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

09 - Lemon slices
10 - Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

→ Simple Marinade (optional)

11 - ¼ cup olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
13 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and gently pound to even thickness (~¾ inch) using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
03 - In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper until combined.
04 - Rub seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast. Optional: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the Simple Marinade for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Pat dry before seasoning.
05 - Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not crowded.
06 - Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
08 - Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice rub creates this incredible crust that locks in all the natural juices
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of active prep time
  • Leftovers stay moist for days, making meal prep actually enjoyable
02 -
  • An instant-read thermometer is the only foolproof way to avoid dry, overcooked chicken
  • Letting the meat rest is non-negotiable, cutting into it immediately releases all those precious juices
03 -
  • Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking for more even results
  • If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, butterfly them instead of pounding
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