Description
These Baked Chicken Breasts are bursting with flavor and simple to prepare. With juicy chicken coated in butter and seasoned to perfection, this dish makes a healthy and comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Enjoy a quick, homemade dinner that will please the whole family!
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 your chicken breasts have been pre-brined, skip this step. Fill a large mixing bowl with 2 cups of lukewarm water and 1/4 cup kosher salt, stir until the salt dissolves, then add 2 cups of cold water to cool the mixture. Add the chicken and let it brine for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 6 hours. Rinse and pat dry after brining.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a large baking dish. Brush both sides with melted butter or olive oil. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Check with a thermometer; the thickest part should reach 165°F. For added browning, broil for the last 3-5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven, transfer chicken to a plate, and tent with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked properly.
Letting the chicken rest helps retain juices and improve flavor.
Feel free to customize the spices to suit your taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg