Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable)

Juicy, tender chicken breasts with perfect seasoning, ready in under 30 minutes.

# What goes in:

→ Chicken

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

→ Marinade & Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
08 - ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs or mixed dried herbs

→ Optional Garnish

09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
03 - Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Italian herbs. Toss or rub to coat the chicken evenly.
04 - Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
05 - Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Baking time may vary depending on thickness.
06 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
07 - Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You can throw this together on those nights when motivation is basically nonexistent
  • The seasoning blend creates this gorgeous crust that makes people think you tried way harder
02 -
  • An instant read thermometer eliminates all the guesswork about doneness
  • Resting the meat is not optional if you want it to actually taste good
03 -
  • Pound thicker parts of the chicken so everything cooks at the same speed
  • Let the seasoning mixture sit on the chicken for 10 minutes before baking for more flavor