Juicy Baked Chicken Breast recipe
Honestly, I’ve been asked many times how to cook chicken breasts without them being completely dry… And I understand why: it’s the kind of thing that seems simple, but can quickly turn into a nightmare if you forget a few important details. So today, I’m sharing with you my perfect Juicy Baked Chicken Breast recipe, baked in the oven and ready in less than 30 minutes. Yes, it’s possible!
The idea is to prepare them a bit like grilling: a good quick marinade, a very hot oven and above all, don’t forget them for 40 minutes! That’s where it’s all in the trick. The goal is to cook them quickly and well, so that the outside browns a little and the inside remains soft. The best part? The little juice that forms at the bottom of the dish, which you can then pour over the chicken or its accompaniment… Honestly, it changes everything.
Juicy Baked Chicken Breast recipe
What do you need to make this baked chicken breast recipe:
- chicken breasts or chicken fillets, choose quality poultry, it will make all the difference.
For the marinade
- Good quality cooking oil
- Paprika (smoked)
- Dried and crushed herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- Organic lemon zest
- One pressed garlic clove or garlic powder
- Sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper
If you prefer other spices or herbs, feel free to adapt them to your tastes.
Jump to recipeSome tips for getting tender and juicy chicken breasts:
- Don’t forget fat (oil or butter, your choice). Chicken breasts are very lean; without it, they risk drying out.
- Respect the cooking time: 18 to 20 minutes at 220°C/430°F, depending on the chicken pieces (breasts or fillets).
- And above all, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, covered with aluminum foil if possible. This allows the juices to retain all their flavor, and the result is even better.
In short, this is one of those simple recipes that I make very often because it has it all: quick, tasty, and super practical for weekdays. Try it, you’ll see!
To accompany these delicious, tender and juicy chicken breasts:
Other recipes to cook with chicken:
Juicy Baked Chicken Breast recipe
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts (approximately 400 to 450 g)
For the marinade
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil (olive oil in my case)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried, crushed herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon organic lemon zest
- 1 pressed garlic clove or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Flower of salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- In a baking dish, place all the marinade ingredients and mix.
- Place a chicken breast in a freezer bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap.Using a kitchen mallet or a rolling pin placed on a cutting board, flatten the thick side to a thickness of less than 2 cm.
- Remove the chicken breast and place it in the dish containing the marinade.Repeat with each chicken breast.
- Coat the chicken breasts thoroughly with the marinade.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C/430°F.
- When the oven is hot, bake for 20 minutes.The chicken should be golden brown.During cooking, you can baste it with the cooking juices.
- Once cooked, remove from the oven, cover the dish with aluminum foil and let stand for 5 minutes before cutting to keep the juices inside.
