Oven Baked Chicken Breasts (Printable)

Tender, flavorful chicken breasts prepared with olive oil and aromatic spices, baked until perfectly cooked.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

→ Marinade / Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
08 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
09 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
11 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
04 - In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, thyme, and cayenne if using.
05 - Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and rub in well.
06 - Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
07 - Bake for 18-25 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Twenty minutes of active effort delivers dinner that feels like it came from a restaurant kitchen
  • The seasoning blend creates such incredible flavor that nobody will believe this is healthy eating
02 -
  • A meat thermometer eliminates all the guesswork and prevents the tragedy of overcooked chicken
  • Letting the chicken rest is not optional unless you enjoy dry meat and disappointed dinner guests
03 -
  • Pounding chicken to uniform thickness before baking is the difference between okay and amazing
  • Let your chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for even heating

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