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Sliced Baked Chicken Breast on a white plate with rice and broccoli

Perfectly Baked Chicken Breast

Perfectly Baked Chicken Breasts are juicy and delicious! We make these several times a month. If you need a really great and reliable recipe for baked chicken breasts, this is it!

Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword how to bake chicken breast
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 358 kcal
Author Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup Salt
  • 6 cups Water
  • 4 Chicken Breasts (skinless/boneless)
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Spice Rub

  • 1 tsp Coarse Salt (or ¾ tsp table salt)
  • ½ tsp Pepper
  • ¼ tsp Onion Powder
  • ¾ tsp Garlic Powder
  • ¾ tsp Smoked Paprika (or sweet paprika)

Instructions

  1. Before you begin, check the packaging to see if your chicken breasts are treated with salt water. 

    If not, dissolve the ¼ cup of salt in 6 cups of warm water (not too hot) in a large bowl. Add the chicken breasts and let them soak for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse them in cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

  2. While the chicken is brining, mix the spices together in a small bowl and set aside.

  3. Set your oven to 425°.

    Rub the chicken with the olive oil and then rub with the spice mixture on both sides.

  4. Bake uncovered for 15-20* minutes Depending on size of breasts), or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. If you use a meat thermometer to measure the temperature thickest part of the breast, it should be between 160-170°F. (The FDA recommends 165°F.) Don't let it overcook!

  5. Let the chicken rest about 5-10 minutes, loosely covered, before serving, and it will be juicy and moist.