Baked Chicken Breasts

Learn the best way to oven bake chicken breasts that are healthy, moist and tender every time in about 30 minutes by following these easy step by step photo instructions.

Introduction

It is time to get back to some basics with healthy skinless boneless chicken breasts, you love them but hate to cook them. Learn the three secrets, and it will serve you for life.

If we get this right, you will have a perfect baked chicken breast that is moist, tender and flavorful. But cooked wrong, we are talking hockey pucks - a rubbery, dry, flavorless disaster.

I will go through the basic technique. You can modify the results with your favorite seasoning.

My Rating

A solid five even if it is just chicken. It is perfectly done.

The three secrets of great baked chicken breasts

Drum roll, please...

1. Even out the thickness of the meat
2. Cook in a high oven to exactly 165
3. Rest after cooking for at least 5 minutes.

Now for the details.

🐓Chicken Breasts

We are dealing with skinless boneless chicken breasts. Try to pick breasts that are about the same size and thickness.

I prefer fresh but frozen can be fine but must be completely thawed. A few will come pre-brined which is fine but please do not brine or salt again.

The Preparation of the Chicken Breasts

Trim any trimmable fat and look for blood vessels and even bones. Pat dry and do not rinse. See Chicken… To Rinse or Not To Rinse?  for a safety discussion about rinsing.

(Secret #1) Some breasts are just too thick to cook well. By evening out the thickness some, you will ensure more even cooking. Otherwise, the thinner parts of the breast will be overcooked by the time the thickest part is done.

We need to adjust the thickness, so all the breasts you are cooking are about the same. Try to get them to about 3/4 inch thick. Don't measure, don't obsess, just knock the thick part it down a bit.

I like to use a 1-gallon zip-lock bag to prevent splatter, but plastic wrap will do. Do not just knock them down without protecting from spattering (major health hazard). You should assume that any chicken is contaminated with salmonella.

I use a meat mallet, but you can use the bottom of a pan if you don’t have one. You have something you can use.

🧂Brining

Brining the chicken breasts is optional but nice if you have time. A brine will always improve the results and is so simple to do.

I would consider it more important if you are dealing with previously frozen chicken which can lose some moisture.

The ratio for a brine is 2 cup of water and one tablespoon table salt. Some people will add some brown sugar equal to the salt. Remember that all salt is not equal and 1 teaspoon table salt = 1 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt = 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt.

As little as 15 minutes makes a big difference. But you can brine for up to 2 hours if you want. This is a "heavy brine" in the amount of salt and matches the Cooks Illustrated suggestions. You may see longer brine times suggested but please limit it to 2 hours maximum.

📋Seasoning

Start with a brush of melted butter or olive oil. Some will worry about the smoke point but it is not really an issue since the meat it is coating will get nowhere close to the smoke point.

Now we are going to add dry season. If you did brine, DO NOT add more salt. So some of the options just don’t apply for you.

Some simple options are just some of my 7:2:2 Homemade Seasoning Mix if you are cooking to use in other recipes. Or just seasoning salt like Lowrys and pepper if you are in a hurry.

I included in the recipe card a suggested rub that is excellent. And if you brined, you can leave the salt out.

Add some thyme or other flavors. Heat it up some with switching out my paprika for chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Try Italian or Cajun, all up to you.

Some people like to add some sugar to their seasoning to get more caramelization and browning. The choices are endless.

♨️Baking

(Secret #2) If you get nothing else out of this, the main key to moist and tasty chicken breasts is in the final internal temperature of 165. Do not overcook - will lead to drying and poor texture. Do not undercook due to safety.

A high oven is the way to go here. 400 degrees or even more is the best choice. This is lean meat and lower temperature will just dry it out. Higher temperatures will seal the outside and help keep the meat moist.

Like all meat cooking, your time will vary by the thickness of the meat, the exact starting temperature of the meat and your oven. So always cook chicken breast to a final internal temperature of 165 for safety.

🌡️⏰Temperature and Time

Oven temperature and how long to cook is one of the most common questions. Many of the time estimates around the internet are based on 4 oz chicken breasts. That is not what you probably have.

Estimated time based on 10-12 oz skinless boneless chicken breast correctly prepared to even out the thick area. Remember the variables of size and thickness of the chicken, the starting temperature of the meat and your oven.

• 400°F convection or 425°F conventional will take about 23-26 minutes - Recommended
• 375°F convection or 400°F conventional will take about 26-30 minutes.
• 350°F convection or 375°F conventional will take about 30-35 minutes.
• 350°F conventional will take about 35 minutes or a bit longer to get to 165 degrees.
• The best answer is to use the temperature of the oven you want and bake until 165 internal temperature. Times are provided to help in planning only. I suggest 400°F convection or 425°F conventional.

So you are aiming for 165 internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast. Times estimates are provided only for planning purposes.

Some people will remove the chicken a few degrees short of the 165 target assuming (probably correctly) that it will increase a few degrees after removal from the oven. With safety things like this, I prefer being sure you hit 165.

Rest the Chicken After Cooking

(Secret #3) Be sure you rest the cooked chicken before cutting to allow all of the juices to reabsorb into the meat keeping your chicken breast moist.

5 minutes is usually enough. If longer, tent with foil to keep warm.

Storage

Good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and if sealed well, can freeze for 3-4 months.

📖Chicken Breast Recipes

Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts

Parmesan Mayonnaise Baked Skinless Chicken Breast

Pan Seared Oven Baked Chicken Breast

How to Grill Chicken Breasts on a Gas Grill

🔪Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees convection or 425 conventional. Rack in the middle of the oven.

Trim two skinless boneless chicken breasts of trimmable fat. Pat dry.

Place the chicken in a ziplock bag and flatten the breasts to about 3/4 inch thick with a meat mallet or heavy pan.

If doing a brine, mix 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons table salt. 15 minutes will give some results. 2-hour maximum. Be sure to rinse off the brine before proceeding.

You may use the seasoning you want. Here is a suggested seasoning 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Leave out the salt if using a brine.

Prep small baking dish with a spray of PAM.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the microwave and brush both sides of the chicken.

Apply your seasoning to your taste.

Bake in the preheated oven. It will take about 23-26 minutes and is done when the internal temperature is 165 in the thickest part of the breasts.

Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

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📖 Recipe

Baked Chicken Breast

From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Learn the best way to oven bake chicken breasts that are healthy, moist and tender every time in about 30 minutes by following these easy step by step photo instructions.

4.84 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings #/Adjust if desired 2 breasts

Ingredients

US CustomaryConvert to Metric

• 2 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
• 1 tablespoon butter

Optional Brine

• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon table salt

Suggested Seasoning -Use what you want

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees convection or 425 conventional.
• Trim two skinless boneless chicken breasts of trimmable fat. Pat dry.
• Place the chicken in a ziplock bag and flatten the breasts to about 3/4 inch thick with a meat mallet or heavy pan.
• If doing a brine, mix 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons table salt. 15 minutes will give some results. 2-hour maximum.
• You may use the seasoning you want. Here is my suggested seasoning 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Leave the salt out if you have brined.
  
• Prep small baking dish with a spray of PAM.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the microwave and brush both sides of the chicken. Apply your rub to your taste.
• Bake in the preheated oven. It will take about 23-26 minutes and is done when the internal temperature is 165 in the thickest part of the breasts.
• Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

1. The brine is optional but always a good idea especially if the breasts have been previously frozen. Remember that all salt is not equal and 1 teaspoon table salt = 1 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt = 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
2. If using frozen breast, they must be fully thawed before starting.
3. If you brine, be sure to rinse off the brine and do not use any seasoning with salt.
4. Flatten the chicken to about 3/4 inch thick: the more consistent the thickness, the more even the cooking and better results.
5. To save time, you can use a seasoning salt like Lowrys with some pepper for the seasoning if you didn't brine.
6. The time estimate is provided only for planning purposes. Thicker or bigger breast may take longer, smaller or thinner take even less time. There are other variables also so stay alert.
7. Do not overcook - will lead to drying and poor texture. Do not undercook due to safety.
8. You can not get this right without using a thermometer.
9. Be sure to let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
10. Good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and frozen for 4-6 months.
11. A great recipe to scale up or down for your needs.

Have More Questions?Make it Perfect First Time and Every Time. Don't miss out, check the full post above. Almost every recipe includes easy step by step photo instructions so you can visualize yourself cooking this recipe along with helpful tips and options.

TO ADJUST THE RECIPE SIZE:You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

Nutrition

Serving : 1breastCalories : 183kcalCarbohydrates : 0gProtein : 24gFat : 8gSaturated Fat : 4gCholesterol : 87mgSodium : 763mgPotassium : 418mgFiber : 0gSugar : 0gVitamin A : 455IUVitamin C : 1.3mgCalcium : 6mgIron : 0.5mg

Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Course :Main Course

Cuisine :American

Originally Published April 16, 2019.  Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.