Description
This easy Baked Chicken Breast recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a flavorful Italian seasoning blend and baked to perfection. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, it’s a perfect healthy dinner option that pairs well with a variety of sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.75-2 lb.)
Seasoning Paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1.5 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer to gently pound the thicker side until the entire breast is evenly about 1/2 inch thick. This ensures even cooking.
- Mix Seasoning Paste: In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Add olive oil and mix until it forms a thick paste.
- Coat Chicken: Spread and rub the seasoning paste evenly on both sides of each chicken breast to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Bake: Place the coated chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The recipe’s chicken was done at 18 minutes.
- Rest and Serve: Remove chicken from the oven and transfer to a plate or cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken juicy and tender. Slice and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Using plastic wrap to pound the chicken helps keep your workspace clean.
- Resting the chicken after baking is essential to retain moisture and tenderness.
- You can substitute Italian seasoning with dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme if preferred.
- Make sure not to overbake to avoid dry chicken breasts.
- This recipe pairs well with roasted vegetables, salads, or mashed potatoes.
