Simple Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

Simple Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Everyone needs a tried-and-true recipe for simple baked chicken breasts in their back pocket. On the hunt for the perfect one? We've got you covered with this top-rated recipe it's versatile, crowd-pleasing, and (best of all) incredibly easy!

Simple Baked Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt (or to taste)
  • 1 pinch Creole seasoning (or more to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon chicken broth (or water)

How to Bake Chicken Breasts

Follow these simple steps to make perfectly baked chicken breasts:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 400F (200C). This high temperature ensures the chicken gets a nice crispy exterior while staying juicy inside.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides. Sprinkle them evenly with sea salt and Creole seasoning. The seasoning will give the chicken a flavorful kick, so feel free to adjust to your taste.

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

Place the seasoned chicken breasts on a broiler pan. Pop them in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. After that, flip the chicken and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the juices run clear. If you're using a meat thermometer, the chicken should reach at least 165F (74C) at the thickest part.

Step 4: Make the Pan Sauce

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pan and set it on a plate. Pour the chicken broth into the same pan and use a spatula to scrape up any browned bits left behind from baking. This creates a simple, flavorful pan sauce. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken just before serving.

How Long to Bake Chicken Breasts

The baking time depends on the size of your chicken breasts. For the 5-ounce breasts used in this recipe, it will take around 25 minutes in the oven. Always check the internal temperature to ensure the chicken reaches at least 165F (74C).

What Temperature Is Best to Bake Chicken Breasts?

400F (200C) is the optimal temperature for baking chicken breasts. It ensures even cooking and helps achieve a golden brown exterior without drying out the meat.

What to Serve With Baked Chicken Breasts

This dish pairs well with virtually anything! From a fresh side salad to creamy mashed potatoes, the possibilities are endless. Looking for more ideas? Check out our top-rated side dish collections:

How to Store Baked Chicken Breasts

Store leftover chicken in an airtight or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to four days. This will keep it fresh and ready for later meals.

How to Freeze Chicken Breasts

If you're meal prepping or just want to save some for later, freezing chicken breasts is an excellent option. Here's how:

Freezing Raw Chicken Breasts

If you prefer freezing raw chicken, wrap each breast in plastic wrap, then in foil. Place the wrapped chicken in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to cook, thaw in the fridge and follow the recipe instructions.

Freezing Baked Chicken Breasts

For leftover cooked chicken, allow it to cool before wrapping each breast in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat until warmed through.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I made this a few weeks ago and will make it again today for dinner," says Joan. "Quick and tender and leftovers are just as good! I added extra cayenne for my heat-loving husband. Make sure not to overcook remove from the oven and rest for ten minutes. Mmmm!"

"This is my 'go-to' chicken recipe," says BB2Cook. "We have it often. I change up the seasonings, and use lemon-flavored olive oil. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken, so be sure to check the internal temperature. It's always moist and flavorful!"

Nutrition Facts

Per serving:

  • Calories: 191
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbs: 0g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 67mg
  • Sodium: 1418mg
  • Iron: 17mg
  • Potassium: 216mg

Simple Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

FAQ about Simple Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

Yes, bone-in chicken breasts can be used, but the cooking time will need to be increased by approximately 10–15 minutes. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Coating the chicken in olive oil before seasoning helps retain moisture. Avoid overbaking and allow the chicken to rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven to redistribute the juices.

Yes, you can season the chicken up to 24 hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to develop before baking.

Allow the chicken to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.

Yes, wrap each cooled chicken breast tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheat in a 325°F (165°C) oven, covered with foil, until heated through. You can also add a few tablespoons of chicken broth to the pan to keep the meat moist.

Absolutely. You can substitute any preferred spice blend such as Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, garlic herb, or paprika-based rubs depending on your taste.

Yes, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for about 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Leftover chicken can be used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, casseroles, or soups. It’s a great way to prepare quick meals throughout the week.

No, this recipe doesn’t require marination. However, if you’d like extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, and your favorite spices for 1–2 hours before baking.

Letting the chicken rest for several minutes after baking allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it tender and juicy when sliced.

While possible, it is not recommended. Baking from frozen increases cooking time and can lead to unevenly cooked chicken. For best results, thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking.

Comments

Tony

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

Creole seasoning...In a medium bowl combine paprika, dried oregano, ground black pepper, dried basil, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, granulated onion, dried thyme, and granulated garlic. Stir to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to three months.

Galasrin

10/21/2020 03:26:34 AM

I only have a conventional oven so I had to improvise a bit. I cooked mine at 425 for 10 & 15 minutes flipping in between. Came out a bit over done, but were thinner than normal breasts. I also significantly cut the amount of salt(1/4 to 1/2 T) and increased the amount of creole seasoning. It came out great!

penny

06/06/2020 07:12:25 AM

I use this recipe all the time. I live alone, so if I buy chicken breasts in bulk, it’s an easy way to cook a lot of them at once. I didn’t have any creole seasoning on hand, so I just used salt and pepper. I also use larger chicken breasts, so I also like to cut slices into the chicken and stuff them with whole garlic cloves to speed up the cooking process and add a little extra flavor. Otherwise, I do everything as directed. I use a cast iron skillet, and I add a few more minutes on each side because I don’t have a convection oven. It still turns out perfect and delicious every time. This is definitely my go to recipe for easy baked chicken.

Jilly

12/18/2023 12:09:06 AM

I’ve made this multiple times! Always moist and delicious! Used creole seasoning a couple times, Canadian Steak spice a couple times, and a mix up of several different spices! Always use a meat thermometer! I’ve served them as the main protein in a meal, chopped up for chicken salad, and sliced into a Cesar salad.

MuscleMan

02/08/2020 11:39:22 PM

Pretty easy - all you have to remember is 400 degrees, 10 minutes, flip, 15 minutes. Everything else is up for grabs. For example, I didn't have creole seasoning. One time, I tried the Hungarian approach using paprika and garlic powder. Another time, I tried Italian with dried basil, oregano and garlic powder. Definitely used more than a "pinch". Note that for these times, you need a convection oven. Without convection, it would take longer.

Steve

07/26/2024 01:20:19 AM

I substituted some things. I used chili powder instead of cajun. I went with black pepper and salt. Seared well in cast iron and baked for 20 minutes. So Good!

Tyson Kampenhout

04/23/2020 04:12:05 AM

This is freaking delicious! I have always only grilled/bbq'd my chicken, as in the past my experience of baked chicken was that it was either slimy or dry - I've never like the texture of baked chicken in the past, but this is amazing. I make as large a batch as I can, and store the leftovers for sandwiches & salads throughout the week. some things I do a little differently - I use a gas oven, and bake for 15 minutes at 400° before flipping the chicken and cooking an additional 15 minutes. I also add bacon! Oven baked chicken + oven baked bacon = tastiest thing ever. Lastly - First time I made this, I made the mistake of under seasoning. I initially seasoned the same amount I normally would if I grilled the chicken. This was a problem because when I flipped the chicken much of the seasoning flowed off. I now use 2x the seasoning I would use while grilling. I also cover in crushed garlic and Montreal chicken seasoning. delicious!

MollyJ

12/22/2023 08:00:20 PM

I've been using this recipe for a while, since summer and it is simply the best. When I have ginormous chicken breasts, I cut them into 5 oz servings, which I am not perfect at, but it still makes things more manageably sized to get a tender serving of chicken breast. I have also fixed a batch of say 5-6 5 oz servings and froze them. Very, very versatile.

Megan McCaleb

09/13/2019 08:58:16 PM

i like to toss my chicken in bisquick, paprika, salt and pepper. i’ve cooked mine with butter that i put in the oven while it’s pre heating till the butter is melted

Linda G

05/30/2019 11:28:51 PM

I didn’t have the creole seasoning called for, so I substituted salt and pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. I also sprayed the broiler pan so nothing would stick. Because my chicken breasts were so thick, I baked them for 15 minutes on each side. The internal temperature wasn’t 165*, so I baked for an additional 15 minutes. DONE, simple and so good. I have a micro-convection countertop oven and I use it more than my full size oven. This recipe fits my needs and lends itself to experimentation with different spices.

Trudy

10/14/2021 12:58:29 AM

I loved this, although I used a spoon of Canola oil since I didn't have olive oil. I also only had 2 large breasts, so I put them in a glass 8x8 pan at 375 for 10 minutes, flipped then added some more spices and continued cooking for another 18 minutes in a regular oven. The spices I used were: pepper, onion salt, and some of a random jar of a garlic herb mixture. It was so incredibly most and I let them sit in the oven which was turned off while I made a huge Caesar salad and garlic bread. It was a hit, and will make this again.

Paul

09/01/2025 09:49:41 PM

Simple and wonderful. My favorite pair

Paul Morris

08/21/2025 11:32:37 PM

I haven’t tried it with the creole seasoning, but I’m sure it’s great. I’m just a coriander fan, so use that instead. Delicious! This is a quick meal on a busy night.

CraftyEgg2950

08/18/2025 11:58:48 PM

DELICIOUS! Quick, easy using few ingredients; the chicken was moist and the flavorful drippings were used to make gravy. Yummy!

jean

07/13/2025 03:38:16 AM

Not very flavorful. Yes, nice easy bake but way to bland.

Diana Martin

07/10/2025 09:15:53 PM

So easy and quick doesn’t heat up the kitchen. Flavorful my spicy family loves it an it’s not too spicy for me😊

Ann

06/11/2025 03:35:03 AM

soooooo gooooooooooooood

CalmPlum7539

05/14/2025 12:28:54 AM

Easy, I used chicken rub instead

Jennifer Scott

05/06/2025 11:42:47 PM

So easy and so delicious at the same time.

CurvyFig1928

04/06/2025 11:38:57 PM

DELISH!! This recipe is for sure a keeper!! Super simple, made with spices that are probably already in your kitchen/pantry. And bonus- doesn't take forever to make! Just a quick splash of oil, sprinkle sprankle of garlic powder, black pepper, onion salt and everything seasoning, give the chicken a flip and repeat with oil and seasoning, bake for 10-15, flip and bake another 10-15. Done and on the table in 30 minutes. This in my kind of meal!!!