Baked Chicken Breasts
Learn how to make juicy, tender baked chicken breasts using this simple method.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Dish
- cooking thermometer
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Brine the chicken. Fill a large mixing bowl with 2 cups of lukewarm water and ¼ cup kosher salt. Stir to combine until most of the salt is absorbed. Add 2 cups of cold water to lower the temperature. Add the chicken breasts and let them sit for 15 minutes, then rinse and pat dry.
- Heat the oven. Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Season the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in a large baking dish. Brush both sides with melted butter or olive oil. Whisk together salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, then sprinkle this mixture over the chicken.
- Bake. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until cooked through. Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the thickest part reaches 165°F. Optionally, broil for 3-5 minutes for a crispier top.
- Rest the chicken. Remove the pan from the oven and tent the chicken with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Double-check the maximum temperature of your baking dish for this recipe. Glass dishes usually have a maximum temperature of 425°F. Cooked chicken can be stored in a sealed container for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 300kcalProtein: 30gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 600mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 2mg
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