Description
These baked chicken breasts are so juicy and flavorful, you’ll never believe they took just 30 minutes to make. Trust me, this is the only recipe you’ll ever need.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds or 900g total)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and let chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Optional: Brine chicken by dissolving ¼ cup salt in 4 cups warm water and soaking chicken for 15-30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry afterward.
- Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound to an even ¾-inch thickness.
- Mix garlic powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl.
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil, coating both sides, then sprinkle with seasoning mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Arrange chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet with space between each piece.
- Bake for 16-22 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Remove from oven, tent with foil, and rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Serve with lemon wedges and your favorite sides.