In today's fast-paced world, finding the time to prepare a delicious, healthy meal can be a challenge. For those evenings when you're short on time but still crave a satisfying dinner, a simple baked chicken breast recipe is the perfect solution. This dish not only offers a lean protein option but also allows for endless customization with spices and side dishes. Let's dive into how you can prepare this easy and versatile meal in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Optional: additional herbs and spices like paprika, rosemary, or thyme
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Ensuring your oven reaches the right temperature before you start cooking is crucial for evenly cooked chicken.
- Prepare the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This step is key to helping the seasonings stick and ensures that your chicken will have a nice, crisp exterior.
- Season the chicken. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the chicken breasts, then sprinkle evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you're feeling adventurous, add any of your favorite herbs or spices at this point to tailor the flavor to your liking.
- Bake the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Rest the chicken. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring that each bite is moist and flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
This baked chicken breast recipe is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Vegetables: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts for a hearty, healthy meal.
- Grains: Complement your chicken with a side of quinoa, rice, or couscous. These grains make a great base for soaking up any extra seasonings or juices from the chicken.
- Salad: Keep things light with a fresh salad. A simple mix of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a vinaigrette can balance the richness of the baked chicken.
Why Choose Baked Chicken Breasts?
Choosing to bake chicken breasts is a wise decision for several reasons:
- Health Benefits: Chicken breast is a low-fat, high-protein food, making it ideal for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.
- Ease of Preparation: This recipe requires minimal prep and cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizability: The simple base of this recipe allows for endless flavor variations, making it easy to keep this dish in your regular dinner rotation without getting bored.
Whether you're cooking for one or preparing a meal for a family, this simple baked chicken breasts recipe is sure to please. It's quick, healthy, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Give it a try tonight and see just how easy and delicious it can be!
Simple Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Simple Baked Chicken Breasts recipe offers a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious dinner. The chicken comes out juicy and perfectly seasoned. Ideal for a healthy, protein-packed meal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rub each chicken breast with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Resting the chicken after baking keeps it juicy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
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