There鈥檚 nothing easier or more versatile than boneless skinless chicken breasts for dinner. You can grill chicken breast, make slow-cooker meals with chicken breast or use it in sory chicken skillet recipes. If you鈥檙e looking for a foolproof way to make juicy chicken, this oven-roasted chicken breast recipe is our tried-and-true forite.
I know what you鈥檙e thinking: Roast chicken breast in the oven is notorious for being dry, tough and, well, a bit lackluster. Luckily, the Taste of Home Test Kitchen has a method that ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy every time. So say goodbye to dry, dull chicken breasts that double as doorstops and say hello to the best oven-roasted chicken breast recipe you鈥檝e ever had.
How long should you roast chicken breast in the oven?When baked in a 425掳F oven, chicken breasts usually take 15 to 20 minutes, depending on their thickness. When perfecting how to roast chicken breast in the oven, our Test Kitchen found that a higher temperature is the secret to locking in moisture and keeping the meat juicy. As a bonus, increasing the temperature from the typical 350掳 oven setting means the chicken cooks more quickly, so you can get dinner on the table in a flash.
That said, no matter what temperature you use to roast chicken breast in the oven, the meat should always be baked to a food-safe temperature of at least 165掳 to ensure it is fully cooked. Undercooking chicken is definitely one of the top mistakes everyone makes when making chicken.
Ingredients for Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast Chicken: For this recipe, opt for boneless skinless chicken breasts. But here are our top recipes for bone-in chicken breasts if you prefer to go that route. Brine: Brining the chicken in a solution of water and salt will boost the chicken鈥檚 natural flor and ensure the meat has enough moisture to stay tender as it cooks. This step will ensure your roast chicken breasts won鈥檛 be dry or tough. Olive oil: A drizzle of olive oil helps the seasoning adhere to the chicken and promotes browning as the chicken breasts bake in the oven. Salt and pepper: While you can play around with other herbs and spices or spice blends, a bit of salt and pepper is all you need to make florful, succulent boneless chicken breasts in the oven. Directions Step 1: Brine the chicken
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In a large bowl, whisk together the water and 2 tablespoons salt until the salt is dissolved.
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Add the chicken and let it brine for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 2: Season the chicken
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Preheat the oven to 425掳. Drain the chicken and discard the brine. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
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Transfer the chicken to a greased sheet pan or a 13脳9-inch baking dish. Brush it with olive oil, then sprinkle it with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
Editor鈥檚 Tip: If your chicken breasts are very thick on one end and not on the other, you鈥檒l want to flatten the chicken with a meat mallet until the breasts he an even thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly. A hey skillet or saucepan can also be used if you don鈥檛 he a meat mallet on hand.
Step 3: Bake the chicken
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Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165掳.
Editor鈥檚 Tip: The temperature of the chicken is important. Under 165掳 puts you at risk of foodborne illness, but over 165掳 will make the chicken dry and tough, so be sure to use a reliable meat thermometer.
Step 4: Rest and serveRemove the chicken breasts from the oven and transfer them to a cutting board. Let them rest for about five minutes, then slice or chop them as desired.
Editor鈥檚 Tip:聽Resting is one of the best ways to聽make tough meat tender. It allows the juices to redistribute in the chicken, locking in the moisture so the juices don鈥檛 spill out once cut.
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If you he any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. An oven-roasted chicken breast will last up to four days.
Can you freeze oven-roasted chicken breast?You can store cooked chicken breast in the freezer. Simply wrap the meat in storage wrap or foil, then place it in an airtight container or a freezer storage bag. Cooked chicken will last in the freezer for up to four months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
How do you reheat oven-roasted chicken breast?Chicken breasts are a versatile protein that can be reheated in the oven, microwe or air fryer, or on the stovetop. Consult this guide for how to reheat chicken for all our forite methods.
Oven-Roasted Chicken Breast Tips
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These baked chicken breasts are great with just about anything, so try serving them with your forite side salad recipes or聽potato recipes. You can also pair them with a vegetable side dish or other quick and easy side dish recipes.
How else can you use oven-roasted chicken breast?This oven-roasted chicken breast recipe is great to make ahead for use in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken (like these recipes with rotisserie chicken). Shred the breasts and use them to make quick chipotle ranch chicken tacos, or add them to a forite chicken casserole recipe. Or, make buffalo chicken sliders or a chicken Caesar wrap. The possibilities are truly endless!