Description
This oven-baked chicken breast recipe yields juicy, flavorful chicken with a simple seasoning blend. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it’s ready in just 30 minutes. With a hint of sweetness from brown sugar and a touch of buttery richness, this chicken is delicious on its own or sliced over salads and pasta.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter, diced
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. - Flatten the Chicken:
Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet, pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 0.5 – 0.75 inches. Rub the chicken breasts all over with olive oil. - Season the Chicken:
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, gently rubbing it in. - Bake the Chicken:
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared casserole dish. Top each with a small piece of butter. Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. - Broil for a Golden Finish:
Optional: For a nicely browned top, place the chicken under the broiler for 1-3 minutes after baking. - Serve:
Serve the chicken immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Butter Substitute: You can substitute butter with olive oil, though it may result in slightly less juicy chicken.
- Seasoning Variations: Feel free to experiment with different seasonings based on your taste preference.
- Temperature Check: A meat thermometer is highly recommended to ensure the chicken reaches the perfect internal temperature of 165°F, avoiding overcooking.
Recipe Tips:
- Flattening the chicken helps it cook evenly and stay tender.
- Brown sugar adds a slight caramelization and sweetness that enhances flavor; feel free to substitute with regular sugar if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 240kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
