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Close-up of a juicy oven-baked chicken breast dinner, golden brown and perfectly cooked.

Classic Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast Dinner

This recipe delivers tender, juicy oven-baked chicken breasts with a flavorful marinade. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it can be easily customized with various optional flavor boosts.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Breakfast
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 - 2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (2-4 breasts)
Marinade
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice fresh
  • 3-4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1-2 teaspoons Dried Herbs (e.g., Italian Seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
Baking Liquid
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth or White Wine
Optional Flavor Boosts
  • 2-3 sprigs Fresh Rosemary or Thyme Sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Honey or Maple Syrup
  • Hot Sauce A Dash of
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes chopped
  • Balsamic Glaze a drizzle

Equipment

  • Plastic wrap
  • Meat mallet
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk
  • Shallow dish or zip-top bag
  • Oven-safe skillet (cast iron or stainless steel)
  • Meat thermometer
  • Foil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of 3/4 to 1 inch for consistent cooking.
  2. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried herbs, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and any optional liquid boosts in a small bowl to create the marinade.
  3. Coat the pounded chicken breasts with the marinade in a dish or bag, adding fresh herb sprigs if desired. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
  4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare an oven-safe skillet.
Cooking
  1. Optionally, sear the marinated chicken in 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the hot skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  2. Add chicken broth or white wine to the skillet around the chicken, along with sun-dried tomatoes if using. If not searing, transfer the marinated chicken to a baking dish and add the liquid and other boosts.
  3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-25 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If adding Parmesan, sprinkle it during the last 5-10 minutes.
Serving
  1. Remove chicken from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving if desired.

Notes

For best results, do not overcook the chicken. The resting period is crucial for juicy chicken. Feel free to experiment with different herb combinations and optional flavor boosts to customize this dish.