Baked Chicken Breasts
Learn how to make juicy, tender, delicious baked chicken breasts with this simple 5-step method.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- baking dish
- cooking thermometer
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Brine Solution
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 2 cups cold water or a few ice cubes
Instructions
Preparation
- Brine the chicken. Fill a large mixing bowl with lukewarm water and kosher salt. Stir to combine until most of the salt is absorbed, then add cold water. Add the chicken breasts and let them brine for 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
- Heat the oven. Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Season the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, brush with melted butter or olive oil, and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture on both sides.
- Bake. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until cooked through and no longer pink. Use a cooking thermometer to check that the thickest part of the breast measures 165°F.
- Rest the chicken. Remove from oven, transfer to a plate, and tent with aluminum foil. Let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Serve. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Please double-check the maximum temperature of your baking dish. Avoid using a glass dish for this recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1pieceCalories: 165kcalProtein: 31gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 218mgPotassium: 300mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
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