Healthy Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy & Easy) Recipe
This Healthy Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken breasts with minimal effort. The chicken is first brined briefly to enhance moisture, then seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic powder, paprika, and baked to perfection at a high temperature for a tender, juicy result. Ideal for a wholesome weeknight dinner, this method ensures moist chicken without frying or heavy sauces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (including 10 minutes brining at room temperature)
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Total Time: 33-37 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Brine
- 4 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Sea salt (or kosher salt)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Brine the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl and cover with about 4 cups of water. Add the sea salt and stir until mostly dissolved. Allow the chicken to sit in the brine for 10 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 24 hours. This step helps to keep the chicken juicy.
- Prepare the Chicken: After brining, drain the saltwater, rinse the chicken breasts under cool water, and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a good sear and seasoning adherence.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) to ensure it reaches the high temperature needed for quick, even cooking and moisture retention.
- Oil and Season: Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish so they are spaced out without overlapping. Brush both sides of each chicken breast evenly with olive oil. Then, sprinkle the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper on both sides for rich flavor.
- Bake the Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the chicken is firm, no longer pink inside, and reaches an internal temperature between 160-165°F (71-74°C). The temperature will increase slightly while resting.
- Rest before Serving: Cover the chicken breasts loosely with foil and allow them to rest for 5 minutes. This resting time helps redistribute the juices, ensuring moist and tender chicken when sliced.
Notes
- Brining enhances juiciness but is optional; if short on time, you can skip this step and still get good results.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked without overbaking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- For more flavor, customize the seasoning with herbs and spices to your preference.
Keywords: healthy baked chicken, baked chicken breast, juicy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, oven-baked chicken
