This oven-baked boneless chicken breast recipe is your go-to method for juicy, flavorful chicken every time. No more worrying if the results will be dry or rubbery. Perfectly cooked chicken in less than 30 minutes.
I've tested this method many times, and using a high-heat oven and a simple seasoning blend is foolproof. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and healthy recipes all week long.
Bake chicken breasts at 425°F for 18–25 minutes, depending on the thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
For specifics on the recipe, use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
Jump to:
- Highlights for Baked Chicken Breasts
- Ingredients for Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts
- Kitchen Tools You Need
- How to Make Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken Breasts
- How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts
- Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
- Why Are My Chicken Breasts Dry
- Best Tips for the Best Oven- Baked Chicken Breasts
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Baking Chicken Breasts
- Variations for making Baked Chicken Breasts
- Oven Baked Chicken Breasts FAQs
- What to serve with oven-baked chicken breasts
- Meal Prep Ideas
- Recipes to make with baked chicken breasts
- More Chicken Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Highlights for Baked Chicken Breasts
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses simple pantry spices.
- Meal-Prep: A great recipe to use for meal prep.
- Dietary Needs: Naturally gluten-free and low carb
- Customizable: Easy to use different seasoning blends to change up the flavors.
If you love easy, boneless chicken breasts, try grilled apricot chicken, Greek chicken marinade, or Korean BBQ chicken.
Ingredients for Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts
- 4 to 7-ounce Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - with even thickness work best.
- Olive Oil - Ensures the spices adhere to the chicken. Any favorite oil, such as avocado oil, can be used. Melted butter can also be used to brush on the chicken.
- Ground Thyme - Compliments the chicken.
- Smoked Paprika - Adds color and a bit of smokiness to the flavors.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder - Both add flavor to the rub on the chicken.
- Black Pepper, Kosher salt - Add seasoning to the chicken.
- non-stick cooking spray
Kitchen Tools You Need
- Baking Sheet
- Pastry Brush
- knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- meat mallet
- instant-read meat thermometer
How to Make Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken Breasts
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are in the recipe card.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Evenly pound the chicken between plastic wrap or parchment paper to about ½ to ¾ inches thick. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry.
- Brush olive oil all over the chicken breast.
- Whisk the spices together in a small mixing bowl.
- Evenly distribute the spice blend on the chicken breasts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 25 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F. (Use an instant-read meat thermometer to verify the temperature)
- Be sure to let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle before slicing
This method works for both small and large chicken breasts—just adjust the baking time using the chart below.
How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts
| Chicken Breast Size | Bake Time at 425°F |
|---|---|
| 5–6 oz (thin) | 15–18 minutes |
| 7–8 oz (medium) | 18–22 minutes |
| 9–10 oz (large) | 22–26 minutes |
Tip: Always cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
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Storage - Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer-Friendly - After cooking, the chicken can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Using a food saver is my favorite way to store anything I put in the freezer to keep away freezer burn.
Why Are My Chicken Breasts Dry
Chicken breasts are very lean, so they can dry out easily if overcooked. Here are the most common reasons:
- Low oven temperature: Leads to longer cook time and drier chicken
- Overcooking: The most common issue—always use a thermometer.
- Uneven thickness: Thicker ends take longer to cook.
- No resting time: Juices escape if sliced too soon.
Best Tips for the Best Oven- Baked Chicken Breasts
Disclaimer: "This article includes affiliate links, which may provide a small commission to me at no cost to you."
- Size of the chicken: Ensure the chicken is evenly cut and pounded so the breasts bake evenly.
- Refrigeration: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 15 minutes before baking. This allows the chicken to come to room temperature before baking. The meat will bake faster and will not dry out.
- Internal Temperature: Per Food Safety, the internal temperature of the poultry should be 165°F when finished cooking. Use an instant-read meat thermometer and don't overcook the meat.
- Rest Time: Be sure to let the chicken breasts rest at least 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the chicken juices to settle, to stay moist and tender.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Baking Chicken Breasts
Avoid these common mistakes, and you will have juicy, tender chicken.
- Bake the chicken at a low oven temperature.
- Overbake the chicken so it is cooked enough.
- Skipping the instant-read meat thermometer
- Not pounding chicken evenly.
- Cutting immediately after baking.
Variations for making Baked Chicken Breasts
Do you want to change up this recipe?
- Seasoning: For every pound of boneless chicken, use 1 teaspoon of any of your favorite seasoning blends, such as
Oven Baked Chicken Breasts FAQs
For the best results, baking chicken breasts at a high heat cooks the chicken quickly, helping reduce moisture loss when properly timed.
Bake at a high heat, 425°F/218°C, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Also, let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
No. Bake the chicken uncovered at high heat for a crispy exterior.
For this recipe, no need to flip the chicken during baking.
Use fresh or defrosted chicken breasts for this recipe.
What to serve with oven-baked chicken breasts
Whether you are making dinner or meal planning for the week, these are great options for both.
- Easy Oven Roasted Green Beans
- Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Potatoes
- Eggless Potato Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Meal Prep Ideas
These are great side salads to make ahead and serve with the oven- baked chicken breasts. Tuscan Bean Salad, Corn Tomato Salad, and Bacon Ranch Potato Salad are all great for meal planning.
Use these chicken breasts for meal prepping:
- Slice the chicken into strips for salads or grain bowls.
- Make wraps and protein bowls.
- Use this chicken in Chicken and Green Bean Casserole, Chicken Enchilada Sliders, or chicken taquitos.
- A great recipe for freezing cooked chicken for a later date.
Recipes to make with baked chicken breasts
Leftover chicken breasts are great to use in any of these delicious chicken recipes:
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If you click the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 4(4 - 5) ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts (trimmed and pounded to an even thickness)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground thyme
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a large baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Evenly distribute and brush 4(4 - 5) ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts (trimmed and pounded to an even thickness) on both sides with 2 Tablespoons olive oil .
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together ½ teaspoon ground thyme, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder , ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt Generously rub on the chicken breasts.
- Place the seasoned chicken into the prepared baking pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/73°C.
- Remove chicken and let rest 5 minutes to cool. This lets the juices set and chicken will be juicy.
- Slice and serve.
