This oven-baked chicken breast is incredibly juicy, tender, and full of flavor—made with just 4 simple ingredients and ready in only 20 minutes! It’s the perfect easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights and can be paired with your favorite low-carb side dishes for a satisfying and wholesome meal. Whether you’re following a keto lifestyle or just looking for a healthy baked chicken recipe, this one is a go-to that turns out perfectly every time.
Perfectly seasoned and incredibly easy to make, this oven-baked chicken breast recipe is one of the simplest and most flavorful dinner ideas you’ll ever try. If you’re looking for a quick and healthy chicken dinner that comes together with just a few ingredients and only 2 minutes of prep time, this is it!
I’m a big fan of easy chicken recipes because chicken is not only a lean source of protein, but it’s also incredibly versatile and perfect for meal prep on busy days.
If you love simple chicken recipes like this one, be sure to check out some of our other favorites like creamy coconut chicken curry, juicy shredded chicken, baked bruschetta chicken, and cheesy chicken cordon bleu casserole.
- 1 Why You’ll Love This Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
- 2 Ingredients You’ll Need for Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- 3 How To Make Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- 4 Tips and Variations for the Juiciest Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- 5 What to Serve with Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- 6 Storing Ideas
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions
- 8 More Chicken Breast Recipes
- 9 Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
Why You’ll Love This Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
- Only 4 Simple Ingredients – No complicated ingredients or fancy prep—just a few pantry staples for a flavorful, juicy chicken breast.
- Quick and Easy to Make – This chicken breast recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something fast and tasty.
- Perfect for Meal Prep – Bake a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy it in salads, wraps, or bowls all week long. It reheats beautifully and stays juicy!
- Naturally Low-Carb and Gluten-Free – Great for anyone following a keto, low-carb, or gluten-free lifestyle.
- Versatile and Customizable – Change up the seasonings to suit your mood—lemon pepper, Cajun, Italian herbs, garlic butter… the options are endless!
- Juicy and Tender Every Time – No more dry chicken! This method ensures perfectly baked, flavorful chicken breast every time.
- Pairs with Any Side Dish – Serve it with roasted vegetables, cauliflower mash, zucchini noodles, or a fresh green salad—it goes with everything.
- Family-Friendly and Kid-Approved – A no-fuss, delicious protein that everyone at the table will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
This easy baked chicken breast recipe keeps things simple with just a few pantry staples. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – Choose medium to large-sized chicken breasts for even cooking. Try to use pieces that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Olive Oil – Helps the seasonings stick and keeps the chicken moist as it bakes. You can also use avocado oil or another neutral oil if preferred.
- Italian Seasoning – Adds a delicious blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme. You can use a store-bought mix or make your own homemade Italian seasoning.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Essential for boosting the overall flavor. You can also sprinkle on garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or your favorite spices for added flavor.
How To Make Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
This easy baked chicken breast recipe comes together in just a few steps and is perfect for beginners or busy weeknights. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). A higher temperature helps seal in the juices and gives you a beautifully browned exterior.
- Season the chicken – Place your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a large bowl. Add olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper (or any other favorite spices). Use your hands or tongs to coat the chicken evenly.
- Bake – Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is no longer pink in the center.
- Rest before slicing – Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking. This keeps the juices locked in and makes the chicken even more tender and flavorful.
Tips and Variations for the Juiciest Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- Don’t Overcook. Overcooked chicken becomes dry and tough. Bake just until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part. Always use an instant-read meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Let It Rest Before Slicing. After baking, rest the chicken for 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. This makes the chicken extra juicy and tender.
- Use Olive Oil or Butter. While olive oil is great for keeping the chicken moist, you can also use unsalted melted butter for a rich flavor and a beautifully golden crust.
- Add Extra Flavor with Spices. Sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder to enhance flavor. You can also try Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, or cajun seasoning for a twist.
- Make It Spicy. If you love heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or even a bit of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Pound the Chicken Evenly. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to even thickness before seasoning. This helps them cook more evenly and prevents thinner parts from drying out.
- Marinate for Extra Flavor. If you have extra time, marinate the chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes to a few hours to infuse more flavor and tenderness.
- Make it Cheesy. In the last few minutes of baking, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top and return it to the oven to melt and bubble for a cheesy finish.
What to Serve with Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
One of the best things about this juicy baked chicken breast is how versatile it is. You can pair it with so many low-carb, keto-friendly, or classic sides to make a balanced and satisfying meal. Here are some of our favorite easy sides to enjoy with this chicken:
- Roasted Vegetables – A mix of oven-roasted broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots makes a colorful and nutritious side dish.
- A simple Green Salad – Toss together fresh greens, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette for a refreshing and healthy side.
- Cauliflower Risotto – Creamy cauliflower rice risotto adds a rich, comforting texture while keeping things low-carb.
- Air Fryer Green Beans – Crispy green beans seasoned with garlic and a touch of salt are quick and full of flavor.
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes – All the comfort of classic mashed potatoes—without the carbs. Add garlic or herbs for extra flavor.
- Green Bean Casserole – Perfect for a cozy meal or special dinner, this casserole adds a creamy, crunchy contrast to the tender chicken.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: You can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: these oven-baked chicken breasts can be frozen for up to 3 months in separate bags.
To reheat the leftovers, I recommend using an air fryer and cook until heated through, for about 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Recipe Using Frozen Chicken Breast?
Sure, you can easily make this recipe using frozen chicken breast; you need to know that the time for cooking it will be a little bit longer. So if you are using frozen chicken breast, prepare the chicken as we did in this recipe and bake it for 30-45 minutes at 350°F/180°C.
What’s the Best Temperature to Cook Chicken?
Chicken breast can be baked at 350°F for 30 minutes(depending on its size) or at 450°F for 20 minutes. I always choose to bake it at 450°F because it creates a juicy chicken breast with crisp edges.
Why My Chicken It’s Not Cooked Evenly?
If you end up with a chicken breast that is not evenly cooked, it’s because you cooked it right from the fridge. So next time you plan to make oven-baked chicken breast, you need to take out the chicken breast from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This step will help the chicken to cook evenly.
How To Check If My Chicken Is Cooked If I Don’t Have A Meat Thermometer?
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can slice the chicken breast to check if it’s done. If there are pink or red juices, your chicken is not cooked, and you have to cook it for a couple more minutes.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
- Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breast
- BEST Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken
- The BEST Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- The Best Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
Description
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts large
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature helps the chicken breast cook quickly and stay juicy on the inside.
- Season the Chicken. Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a large bowl. Add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Toss everything together until each piece is evenly coated.
- Bake the Chicken. Transfer the chicken breasts to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Optional – Broil for Crispy Edges. For a golden-brown finish, switch the oven to broil for the last 2–3 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t overcook.
- Rest Before Slicing. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. This helps lock in the juices and keeps the meat tender.
- Serve and Enjoy. Slice the chicken and serve it with your favorite low-carb or keto-friendly side dishes like roasted veggies, cauliflower rice, or a simple salad.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.