Baked chicken breast is a versatile and healthy dish that’s perfect for a quick and easy meal. Here’s a breakdown of the steps to achieve juicy and flavorful baked chicken breast:
Ingredients:
- Skinless, boneless chicken breasts (1-2 per person, depending on size)
- Olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Optional seasonings: You can customize the flavors with your favorite spices and herbs. Here are some ideas: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, or a pre-made seasoning blend.
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Aim for a moderate temperature between 400°F (200°C) and 425°F (220°C). This will ensure the chicken cooks through without drying out.
- Prepare the chicken breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any surface moisture. This helps achieve crispier skin (if the chicken has skin) and better browning.
- Season the chicken: Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. You can also add your preferred seasonings at this point.
Optional Marinating (for extra flavor): You can marinate the chicken breasts for 15-30 minutes in a mixture of your choice. Here are some marinade ideas: * Italian marinade: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder * Lemon herb marinade: olive oil, lemon juice, chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, oregano), garlic powder * Honey mustard marinade: Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, soy sauce
- Baking: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer on a baking sheet. If you prefer thicker, juicier chicken breasts, you can tent them loosely with aluminum foil during baking. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured by a meat thermometer. The internal temperature is the most reliable indicator of cooked chicken.
- Rest and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in a more tender and flavorful piece of meat.
Tips:
- To ensure even cooking, especially for chicken breasts with uneven thickness, you can pound them gently to a uniform thickness.
- Breading the chicken breasts in breadcrumbs or a flour mixture before baking can add a crispy coating.
- If you find your chicken breasts tend to dry out, try baking them at a slightly lower temperature (375°F – 190°C) for a longer time (25-30 minutes).
- Leftover baked chicken breast can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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