Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
Tender, flavorful, and never dry — these juicy chicken breasts are seasoned to perfection and baked until golden with deliciously crisp edges.
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Servings: 4
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Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 teaspoons brown sugar (or a keto-friendly brown sugar substitute)
- 1½ teaspoons smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (or ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1½ teaspoons salt (seasoned salt, Adobo, or chicken salt for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) for a standard oven or 390°F (200°C) for a fan-forced/convection oven. - Prep the Chicken
Pound each chicken breast to about 0.8 inches (2 cm) at the thickest point to ensure even cooking. - Make the Seasoning
In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, oregano, thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. - Season and Bake
Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Place the chicken breasts in the pan, drizzle with olive oil, and rub the seasoning mix evenly over each piece. - Bake
Bake for 16 minutes. For crispier edges, broil on high for the last 2 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). - Rest
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. - Optional Garlic Butter (Highly Recommended!)
While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley. Pour the mixture into the pan juices after baking and stir to combine. Drizzle over the chicken before serving.
- Cooking at a high temperature helps achieve that golden, caramelized exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.