Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
Juicy, flavorful oven-baked chicken breasts made with a simple blend of pantry spices and baked until perfectly tender!
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 452kcal
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 ½ to 2 pounds total
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for a little heat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them to an even thickness of about ¾ to 1 inch at the thickest part. If the breasts are very large, slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets instead of pounding.
- In a small bowl, mix together the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
- Drizzle with the olive oil and rub it all over both sides. Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the chicken, coating both sides well.
- Top each breast with a few small cubes of butter for extra flavor and moisture as it bakes.
- Bake for 18 to 25 minutes, depending on thickness, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest in the dish for 5 minutes. This locks in the juices for maximum tenderness.
- Slice or serve whole, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 452kcal