Description
Here’s the method for perfectly juicy oven baked chicken breasts every time. Easy, flavorful, and tender, this recipe is your go-to for a healthy and delicious dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound organic air-chilled chicken breasts (2-3 chicken breasts)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, or olive oil spray
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or Real Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: fresh herbs, spices, lemon slices, fresh garlic cloves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prep the chicken breasts by removing the tenders if they are still attached to the breasts. If you’re using larger boneless, skinless chicken breasts (over 6-8 ounces), you can also butterfly them open with your knife blade parallel to the cutting board to get two thinner chicken cutlets. Or, if desired, cut large breasts in half width-wise and make two smaller thick pieces. Pat all sides of the chicken dry with a paper towel if there is any liquid in the package.
- Place chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a large baking dish and drizzle or spray both sides with olive oil. Pprinkle with salt & pepper.
- If you like, add lemon slices, fresh garlic cloves, or other herbs on top for extra flavor.
- Bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), about 20-25 minutes. (Note that the cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Smaller breasts will take 15-18 minutes.)
- Loosely tent with aluminum foil if you want to keep it warm and let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This keeps the juices from running out.
- Store any leftover cooked chicken breasts in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Air-fryer method:
You can put chicken breasts in the air fryer at 375°F (equivalent to 400°F), but you’ll want to check them for doneness at 12 minutes because they will cook faster, generally in 12-15 minutes if butterflied open. Cook to 165°F internal temperature.
Notes
Chicken is best cooked to temperature, not time. Always cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. This generally takes 20-25 minutes. If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, cook until the center is opaque and the juices run clear.
I often bake chicken breasts at 375°F. All ovens are different. You can also raise the temperature to 400°F or 425°F for faster cooking and more browning. See what works best in your oven.
Nutrition
- Calories: 261 kcal per serving
