Healthy Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy & Easy) Recipe
This Healthy Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a simple brine and a blend of herbs and spices. Perfect for a quick and nutritious meal, this method ensures tender, moist chicken breasts every time with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus up to 24 hours for brining)
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes to 24 hours 32 minutes (including brining)
- 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
- 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 1/4 cup sea salt and stir to mostly dissolve. Let the chicken sit in this brine for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Prepare the chicken: Drain the brining water, rinse the chicken breasts under cold water to remove excess salt, and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a good sear and even cooking.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) to ensure a hot environment for quick, even cooking that locks in juices.
- Season the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish with room so they don’t overlap. Brush both sides with olive oil to help the seasoning stick and promote browning. Then sprinkle evenly on both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sea salt, paprika, and black pepper.
- Bake the chicken: Put the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 18-22 minutes. The chicken is done when it feels firm, is no longer pink inside, and has an internal temperature of 160-165°F (71-74°C). The internal temperature will rise slightly while resting.
- Rest before serving: Cover the chicken loosely with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and tender chicken breasts perfect for slicing or serving whole.
Notes
- For best results, use a probe thermometer to monitor the chicken’s internal temperature for perfectly cooked, juicy meat.
- Brining can be done up to 24 hours ahead in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor and moisture.
- Use smoked paprika for a subtle smoky flavor variation.
- Resting the chicken is crucial to keep it juicy and tender.
- If cooking multiple chicken breasts, ensure they are spaced so heat circulates evenly in the oven.
Keywords: baked chicken breast, healthy chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, easy baked chicken, brined chicken
