Amazing Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy 4x

Name: Amazing Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy 4x
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each, 1 inch thick); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 half teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 half teaspoon dried oregano

By anna Boncoeur On November 2, 2025

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If you are tired of dry, sad weeknight dinners, then you’ve found your new best friend: this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy recipe. Seriously, this is the foolproof method I rely on when I need something fast, flavorful, and guaranteed not to disappoint. I’m Anna, and I’m that slightly chaotic person who believes cooking should be joyful, not stressful!

For years, I struggled to get chicken breast right—it was always either rubbery or still pink in the middle. I’ve tested every trick out there, and what I landed on here is pure gold. This isn’t some complicated technique requiring hours of marinating. This is my tried-and-true, simple chicken recipe that delivers tender, moist chicken every single time. Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never look back!

Table Of content

Why This Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy Recipe Works

I know what you’re thinking: chicken breast is notorious for drying out. That’s exactly why I developed this specific system! The magic behind this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy method is that we use high heat for a short time, which locks in all the good stuff before the muscle fibers tighten up too much. It’s unbelievably simple, yet the results taste like you spent hours fussing over them.

This recipe is designed for busy people who still want incredible flavor. It’s my go-to for a reason:

Guaranteed Tenderness: High heat plus the oil coating creates a protective barrier against drying.
Minimal Cleanup: Lining that baking sheet with parchment paper means nearly zero scrubbing later!
Flavor Infusion: The simple spice blend penetrates the meat beautifully during the quick bake time.
Speedy Dinner Solution: We’re talking about a full meal ready in about 30 minutes total.

Key Elements for Moist Chicken Breast

If you skip these three small steps, you risk dry chicken, so pay attention! First, you absolutely must pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. Excess moisture steams the outside instead of searing it, which ruins the texture. Second, the olive oil isn’t just for flavor; it acts as a shield. Finally, and this is my biggest secret for juicy chicken breast, you must let it rest for five minutes after it comes out. That resting time lets the juices redistribute throughout the meat. Don’t skip it!

Quick Prep Time Overview

For those keeping score, this recipe is fantastic for weeknights because the timing is so tight. You only need about 10 minutes of actual prep time—that’s just seasoning the chicken! The baking itself takes about 20 minutes, depending on how thick your breasts are. So, from start to slicing, you’re looking at 30 minutes total. Can’t beat that for a satisfying, flavorful main course! If you enjoy quick meals like this, check out my guide on sheet pan chicken fajitas.

Essential Ingredients for Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy

You don’t need a pantry full of fancy items to achieve amazing results here. The beauty of this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy method is that it relies on simple, quality staples you probably already have on hand. We are focusing on maximizing flavor from just a few spices and the chicken itself. These ingredients combine perfectly to bake up tender and delicious every time. Check out what you need below. This recipe is built for four hungry people!

Ingredient	Quantity
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts	4 (about 6 ounces each, 1 inch thick)
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons
Salt	1 teaspoon
Black Pepper	1/2 teaspoon
Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon
Paprika	1 teaspoon
Dried Oregano	1/2 teaspoon

Ingredient Preparation Clarity

A couple of notes on selecting your chicken! Make sure you grab boneless skinless chicken breasts that are roughly uniform in size, aiming for that 1-inch thickness I mentioned. If one breast is nearly double the size of another, you’ll get uneven cooking, so try to match them up. For the spices, it’s best to mix all the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano together in a tiny bowl before you sprinkle. This ensures you don’t accidentally dump all the salt on one piece. It sounds like a small thing, but trust me, it makes a difference in flavor distribution! For more simple chicken ideas, see my oven baked boneless skinless chicken recipe.

Equipment Needed for Success

You won’t need any specialized gear, thankfully! We keep things straightforward. You’ll definitely need a good rimmed baking sheet—the rim is important so the oil doesn’t run everywhere in your oven. Parchment paper is your best friend here for easy cleanup, so grab a roll of that. And most importantly for safety and perfection, you must have an instant-read meat thermometer. This is the only way to guarantee you hit that perfect internal temperature without overcooking the outside.

Step-by-Step Guide to Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy

Alright, let’s get down to business! This is where the magic happens. Don’t rush these steps; a little attention now means a fantastic, juicy dinner later. I’m walking you through exactly how I make my favorite Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy.

Preparation and Seasoning

First things first: tell your oven to heat up to 425°F. While that’s warming, grab that rimmed baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Seriously, thank yourself later for this easy cleanup! Now, take your four chicken breasts and pat them down—and I mean *really* pat them down—with paper towels until they feel dry to the touch. Moisture is the enemy of a good sear!

Next, brush both sides of the dry chicken evenly with the two tablespoons of olive oil. Don’t be shy, but don’t drown it either. In a small bowl, mix up your seasoning: that teaspoon of salt, half teaspoon of pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano. Sprinkle this blend generously over both sides of the oiled chicken. Make sure you cover every inch so every bite is flavorful!

Baking for Perfect Internal Temperature

Place the seasoned chicken onto your prepared baking sheet. This next part is important: give them some space! Don’t let the pieces touch each other. They need room to breathe so the heat circulates evenly around them. Pop the tray into that hot 425°F oven.

Bake them for about 18 to 22 minutes. The exact time depends on how thick they are, so you need to be ready to check them. I never guess! You need to use that meat thermometer. Stick it into the thickest part of the breast. When that thermometer reads exactly 165°F (that’s 74°C), they are done. If you pull them out too soon, they are unsafe; if you leave them in too long past 165°F, well, you know what happens—dry chicken!

The Critical Resting Period

Once they hit 165°F, pull that tray out immediately. Now, this is the hardest part because you’re hungry, but you absolutely cannot slice into the chicken right away. You have to let it rest for a solid five minutes on the pan or a clean cutting board. Why? Because when meat cooks, the juices rush to the center. If you slice it instantly, all those yummy juices run right out onto the plate. Resting allows those juices to settle back into the muscle fibers, ensuring your Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy stays moist when you finally cut into it!

Tips for Achieving the Juiciest Oven Baked Chicken Breast

You’ve got the basic technique down, but if you want to take your results from great to absolutely phenomenal, I have a few little tricks up my sleeve! Getting that perfectly moist chicken breast every time with this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy method is all about consistency and knowing your ingredients. These little adjustments really help beginners nail the texture without adding much extra time to your cooking process.

Selecting and Pounding Chicken

The biggest culprit for uneven baking is inconsistent thickness. When you buy your chicken breasts, try to select four that look roughly the same size. If you have one that looks like a giant and another that looks small, you’re setting yourself up for failure. If you notice one side is significantly thicker than the other, take a piece of plastic wrap and gently pound the thickest part with the flat side of a meat mallet or even a heavy rolling pin. You’re not trying to turn it into cutlet thinness, just gently coaxing it into a uniform 1-inch thickness. This guarantees everything finishes baking at the same time!

Seasoning Variations for Flavor

While the oregano, garlic, and paprika blend is my absolute favorite, feel free to experiment! Since we are keeping the technique simple, the spices are where you can really personalize things. If you love Mediterranean flavors, swap the oregano for a teaspoon of dried thyme. For a little kick that doesn’t feel overwhelming, add just a tiny pinch—maybe a quarter teaspoon—of cayenne pepper to your spice mix. You can also substitute the garlic powder with one or two cloves of fresh garlic, minced super fine, though you might want to rub that directly into the oil coating rather than mixing it with the dry spices.

Storing and Reheating Your Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy

Don’t let those delicious leftovers go to waste! This chicken is fantastic cold in salads the next day, but if you want it warm, reheating correctly is essential to keep that juicy texture we worked so hard for. Storing it properly is the first step to ensuring your next meal with this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy is just as good as the first time around.

Safe Storage Guidelines

Once the chicken has cooled down after resting, you need to get it into the fridge fast. Don’t leave cooked chicken sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours—that’s just not safe! Store the cooled, sliced or whole chicken breasts in an airtight container. If you keep it sealed up tight, it should stay perfectly good in the refrigerator for about three to four days. I usually slice mine before storing, which makes reheating faster! For more great chicken recipes, follow us on Pinterest.

Storage Method	Duration
Airtight Container (Refrigerated)	3-4 days
Freezing (Wrapped tightly)	Up to 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions About Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy

I get so many questions about this recipe because everyone wants to know how to make a truly moist chicken breast every time! I pulled together the most common things people ask about this simple chicken recipe. Hopefully, this clears everything up so you can get back to cooking!

Can I use frozen chicken?

Oh, please don’t try to bake chicken breasts straight from frozen! The outside will burn long before the middle thaws out, and you will end up with tough, unevenly cooked meat. If you have frozen chicken, you need to thaw it safely first. The best way is overnight in the refrigerator. If you are in a huge rush, you can place the sealed chicken in a bowl under cold running water, changing the water every 30 minutes until it’s thawed. Once thawed, follow the recipe exactly, patting it very dry before oiling and seasoning.

How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked without a thermometer?

I really, truly wish I could tell you a visual trick that guarantees perfect results, but for chicken breast, safety comes first! You absolutely need an instant-read thermometer to be sure you hit 165°F (74°C). If you try to cut into it, the juices might run clear one minute and still look a little pink the next, and you risk undercooking it. If you absolutely cannot find a thermometer, you can slice into the thickest part—if the juices run completely clear and there is zero pink at all, it’s likely done. But seriously, grab a thermometer; it’s the key to making this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy work every time!

Nutritional Snapshot

I always try to keep my recipes light and focused on protein, which is why this baked chicken is such a staple around here. Since we are using lean chicken breast and just a little bit of olive oil, the fat content stays surprisingly low while the protein stays super high! Remember, these numbers are based on the exact ingredients and quantities listed in the recipe for one serving. Real life always varies a bit, but this gives you a great idea of what you’re eating.

Estimated Nutritional Values Per Serving

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	260
Protein	36 g
Fat	11 g
Carbohydrates	1 g

Share Your Success with This Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy

I hope this recipe has made your weeknights a little brighter and your chicken a whole lot juicier! I put all my best tips into making this Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy work for you. If you tried it out, please come back and leave a comment below letting me know how it went. Even better, snap a picture and share it! Happy cooking, friends!

Amazing Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy 4x

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Author: anna-Bonc
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This Oven Baked Chicken Breast Juicy and Easy recipe gives you tender, flavorful chicken every time. It is a reliable method perfect for quick weeknight meals using minimal ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each, 1 inch thick)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 half teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 half teaspoon dried oregano

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Pat the chicken breasts completely dry using paper towels.
Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Brush both sides evenly with olive oil.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano.
Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Arrange the chicken pieces so they have space between them for even cooking.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, depending on thickness, until the chicken is opaque and lightly golden.
Remove the chicken from the oven. Let it rest for 5 minutes before you slice or serve it.