Busy Weeknight Baked Chicken Breast

You can have this simple and delicious Busy Weeknight Baked Chicken Breast on the table in less time than it takes to order take out!

We all have those weeks where we just need a break! I’m sure you know exactly what kind of week I am referring to. That is why I love this Busy Weeknight Baked Chicken Breast recipe.  It is quick and easy to throw together and a much healthier alternative to getting take-out. Served with some roasted asparagus, this meal can shine a light on any tiresome weeknight.

If you are anything like me, you always have chicken breasts on hand. They are versatile, satisfy the pickiest eaters, and make great leftovers! But chicken can become boring if you do not have enough recipes up your sleeve to dress it up! This baked boneless skinless chicken breast recipe is a simple yet flavorful way to transform plain chicken breasts into a masterpiece dinner.

BAKED BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST INGREDIENTS

This baked chicken breast recipe is so easy that I can almost guarantee you already have everything you need for it in your kitchen.

Chicken – I use 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  I like to use larger chicken breasts because this chicken is perfect for making salads and sandwiches with the leftovers.

Seasoning – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ground thyme are all you need to season these chicken breasts. It does not get much more convenient than that!

Olive Oil – Aside from needing the oil to start cooking your baked chicken breasts on the stovetop, the olive oil will actually help keep the chicken breasts from drying out as you finish cooking them in the oven.

HOW TO BAKE CHICKEN BREAST

STEP ONE: Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Then heat some olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle half of the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and thyme evenly over the top of the chicken breasts.

STEP TWO: Once the oil in the pan is hot, place the chicken breasts seasoned side down in the pan for about 5 minutes. The chicken will turn a dark golden color while cooking. While the chicken cooks on the first side, sprinkle the remaining seasonings over the top of the breasts.

STEP THREE: Once the first side is cooked, flip the chicken breasts and cook on the remaining side for another 5 minutes. When the chicken is done on the stovetop, place the skillet into the oven and let the baked chicken breasts continue to cook for another 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F.

STEP FOUR: When the chicken is done, remove it and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving or cutting to ensure the meat remains moist and juicy!

HOW LONG TO BAKE CHICKEN BREAST

How long you need to bake the chicken breasts directly correlates to how hot you set the oven.  The lower the temperature, the longer you will need to keep the chicken in to ensure it reaches the safe internal temperature of 165 degrees.

• 350 degrees F – approximately 25-30 minutes
• 375 degrees F – approximately 23-28 minutes
• 400 degrees F – approximately 21-26 minutes
• 425 degrees F – approximately 18-23 minutes
• 450 degrees F – approximately 15-20 minutes

Remember to always check the internal temperature of your chicken. Baked chicken breasts are not safely cooked unless the thermometer reads at least 160 degrees prior to pulling them out.

HOW DO YOU BAKE CHICKEN WITHOUT DRYING IT OUT?

First off, the best way to get perfect chicken is to not overcook it! Using a thermometer is the best way to make sure your baked chicken stays in the oven the right amount of time and comes out right when it needs to.  As long as the thermometer reads 160 degrees in the thickest part of the breast you can take it out of the oven.  The meat will naturally rise to 165 degrees while it rests.

Another important step in serving moist chicken is to let it rest. The natural juices of the meat will redistribute naturally as the chicken rests for about 5 minutes.  It also gives your dinner time to cool down a bit before digging in!

TRY THESE OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES

• Mediterranean Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
• Spinach Stuffed Chicken
• Bacon Ranch Chicken
• Orange Chicken

*This post originally published on 05/12/2014.