Easy Baked Chicken Breast for Meal Prep
Picture this: A perfectly golden, juicy, and tender baked chicken breast that's not just good for dinner tonight, but will last you for many meals and recipes to come. Say goodbye to dry, boring chicken breasts! This make-ahead oven-baked chicken recipe is super quick and easy and will aid tremendously in meal prep.
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In today's blog post, we're sharing a step-by-step guide on how to make juicy baked chicken breasts in the oven – perfect for a variety of recipes and meal-prepping options.
With just a few easy steps and minimal ingredients, you'll be amazed at how this foolproof method can breathe new life into your weekly meal plan.
Whether you're whipping up a quick weeknight dinner, batch cooking, or looking to impress at your next dinner party, these oven-baked chicken breasts are about to become your secret weapon in creating delicious dishes!
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Easy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
Let's dive straight into the recipe. You can use as many chicken breasts as you like, but we'll assume you have four to six chicken breasts that are 5-6 ounces each for the following recipe instructions.
Ingredients
4 chicken breasts
1 TBS olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano or Italian seasoning (see below for other options)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a sheet pan with a silicone mat, aluminum foil, or parchment paper.
Combine salt, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and any other seasonings in a small bowl.
Cut your chicken breasts into 5-6 oz pieces to make them as uniform as possible. Then, use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness. (This step could be optional, but will make your chicken more tender and cook more evenly.)
Coat chicken breasts with olive oil and rub on seasonings, flip and repeat on the opposite side.
Bake for approximately 18 minutes, chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit/75 degrees Celsius.
Remove and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting. Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or green onions.
Notes:
If using more than four pieces of chicken, or extra large chicken breasts, increase the amount of seasoning accordingly.
See below for other seasoning options for your favorite chicken recipes.
Check out the tips below for cooking chicken so it will cook evenly, stay juicy, and taste absolutely delicious.
Read on for some tips to store your baked chicken for future meals. You can slice, refrigerate or freeze, and incorporate in delicious recipes like white chili, chicken enchiladas, chicken salad, and more!
How to Make Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
An air fryer or slow cooker can be great for timesaving, but there are distinct advantages to cooking up your boneless skinless chicken breasts in the oven. Some of these include:
maintaining a neutral flavor so you can use the chicken in multiple recipes
using minimal oil or fat when cooking
creating a juicy and tender texture thanks to the dry heat of the oven
ability to cook enough chicken to last weeks in under half an hour
hands-off cooking so you don't have to constantly monitor
You could throw your plain chicken breast straight into the oven, but taking a few minutes to prepare is key to juicy chicken breasts that are perfectly cooked - versus dreaded dry, rubbery chicken.
Why Chicken Breast Can Be Dry
Here are four major keys for avoiding dried-out oven-baked chicken breast.
Use uniform size chicken breast
Pound the chicken breast to an even thickness
Cook chicken on high heat just until done (check with thermometer)
Allow chicken to rest before cutting
First, boneless skinless chicken breast comes in various sizes and weights.
A key to getting juicy chicken breast that's not dried out is to make sure you bake chicken breasts that are roughly the same size. Plus, they should be evenly spaced out in the baking pan.
Medium-sized chicken breasts are best for uniform cooking, but if end up with some giant pieces, you can cut them in half.
If you have time, you also want to grab a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness. This uniform thickness is a big key to juicy baked chicken breast. Plus, it helps tenderize the meat.
Just one or two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil drizzled over your boneless chicken breasts is all you need to seal in the juices and prevent sticking.
Then it's time to add your seasonings...
How to Season Chicken Breasts
Are you having an Italian feast or a Mexican fiesta? Or maybe you just want to keep it simple with sea salt and pepper? Whatever route you take, apply a generous amount of seasoning for tasty chicken.
For an even deeper flavor profile, you can marinate the chicken overnight or 30 minutes prior to baking.
And if you're baking chicken breasts to use throughout the week or freeze for later use, you can vary the seasonings on different pieces.
Maybe you want an Asian flair for stir fry, Italian seasonings for chicken to top a pasta dish, and some spice for Mexican night.
Here's a basic seasoning combo to get you started.
Simple chicken breast seasoning:
Sea salt and pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika
Other seasonings for your baked chicken recipe:
Chili powder
Cajun seasoning
Cayenne pepper
Taco seasoning
Italian seasoning
When you pull your boneless chicken breast out of the oven, finish it off with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a drizzle of good quality olive oil, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped herbs.
You can also finish with a glaze or sauce such as:
BBQ sauce
Honey mustard
Teriyaki sauce
Easy Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade
Here's a super easy marinade to use before you bake chicken breast.
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup lemon juice (from 2-3 lemons)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 TBS Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Whisk all marinade ingredients and add to the chicken. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking.
What Temperature Should You Bake Chicken Breasts In Oven?
One of the most important steps to juicy oven-baked chicken breast is cooking at the correct temperature for the right amount of time.
If you walk away and let them cook an extra five minutes, that's just enough to go from the juiciest chicken to the dryest.
You want to bake boneless skinless chicken breasts in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-22 minutes.
Using an instant-read meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your meat is safely cooked to the perfect temperature. Pull your chicken breast out as soon as they reach the safe temperature of 165°F.
Beyond that, the chicken will start to dry out.
When you cook on high heat for shorter periods, you're sealing in juices and are less likely to dry out the chicken.
Making sure there's some space in between each piece of chicken in the baking dish will also ensure each piece is cooked evenly and that the oven heat can circulate around the pieces.
Finally, let your chicken rest for about five minutes when you pull it out of the oven. During the resting period, it continues to cook and helps lock in any juices that may have been released during baking.
Now that you know all the secrets to perfectly cooked easy baked chicken breast, you’ll have an absolutely delicious source of protein or meals to come. And all in half an hour with just a few minutes of preparation time and quick baking in the oven.
Baked Chicken Breast in Bulk for Recipes - Meal Planning Favorite!
When it comes to meal prepping, having ready-to-go chicken on hand is a must!
When a recipe calls for dice chicken or you want to throw some protein on a salad, baked chicken breast is a great make-ahead protein to have on hand for busy weeknights.
Storing Cooked Chicken Breast
After you bake your chicken, allow it to cool completely. Depending on the future uses you have in mind, you can store chicken as:
whole chicken breast
shredded chicken
sliced or diced chicken
Store the chicken in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer.
Some of your recipes may allow you to put the frozen chicken directly into a casserole dish, Instant Pot, or soup pot.
If you need to thaw your chicken, be sure to do it safely (not putting it out on the counter).
Either thaw your frozen chicken breasts in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Reheating Cooked Chicken
You can reheat your chicken in the microwave, on the stovetop in a skillet, in the oven, or in an air fryer.
Here are some general tips for reheats.
Microwave: cut the chicken into small, even pieces. Cover with a damp paper towel and heat for 1-2 minutes. If not fully heated, flip pieces over and heat for an additional minute until the desired temperature is reached.
Stovetop: add a small amount of olive oil or water to a skillet, then warm on medium-low heat until chicken is hot.
Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F and let the chicken come to room temp. Place in an oven-safe baking dish with a small amount of water or chicken broth in the bottom and cover with foil. Heat for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F
Air Fryer: preheat your air fryer to 365°F and place the chicken pieces in the basket. Cook for 5-7 minutes until heated, flipping halfway through.
Ways to Use Your Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breast
Looking for a good recipe or two for all that chicken you just baked? Here are some great meal ideas:
Chopped salad: add diced chicken to a green salad filled with fresh veggies.
Tacos: mix diced chicken with your favorite taco seasonings and serve in taco shells topped with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and guacamole.
Wrap: mix diced chicken with mayo and Dijon mustard, you can even add some walnuts and dried cranberries, then serve up in a large lettuce leaf or tortilla.
Stir fry: add diced or shredded chicken to a stir fry of veggies and any sauce you like.
Pasta dishes: add shredded chicken to your favorite pasta dish for extra protein.
Whole grain bowl (aka Buddha bowl): mix cooked quinoa, diced chicken, roasted vegetables, and your favorite sauce for a nutrient-filled meal.
With these tips and recipes, you’ll be sure to have juicy oven-baked chicken every time! Enjoy!
Enjoy the Best Oven Chicken Breast Recipe
This amazing recipe for baking chicken breasts in bulk is the perfect way to get ahead for weekly meal planning—and it’s easy! With this great recipe, you can have tender chicken for tonight's dinner and multiple meals to come!
More Healthy Eating Tips
Book a Discovery Call to talk about your healthy eating goals.
Consider the Mediterranean Diet as an overall healthy eating plan.