Description
Enjoy these Baked Chicken Breasts featuring simple ingredients and flavors that truly shine. Perfect for a quick dinner or a healthy meal that’s made easily at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- If the chicken breasts have been pre-brined, skip this step. To brine, mix 2 cups of lukewarm water with 1/4 cup kosher salt in a large bowl until the salt mostly dissolves. Add 2 cups of cold water or ice cubes until cool. Submerge chicken breasts for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Rinse chicken under cold water and pat dry.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a baking dish and brush both sides with melted butter or olive oil. In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, then sprinkle over chicken on both sides.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For a crispier top, broil on high for the last 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven, transfer chicken to a plate, and cover loosely with aluminum foil to rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Brining chicken enhances its flavor and moisture. Skipping this step is fine if the chicken is pre-brined.
Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your chicken breasts; using a thermometer will help ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 307
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 140mg