Published 8/1/2024 I’ve been baking chicken breasts for 30+ years (okay, at least watching my mom do it!) and the perfect temperature that gets you juicy, tender chicken breast every time is 375ºF. At this temperature, you won’t dry out your chicken; it’s foolproof! If you use a lower temperature you might end up with tougher chicken breast and if you use anything hotter, you might end up with a drier chicken breast with a more well done outside. This post was updated on August 1, 2024 with more thorough information on how to bake chicken breast + new photos. If you’re looking for the 6 marinade ideas, scroll down past the recipe card! Baked chicken was a childhood dinner staple of mine. Whether it was Italian chicken or a simple baked chicken and rice, we loved every bite. Plus, my mom was a huge fan of chicken breasts over chicken thighs, so it’s what we always had. My preferred method to baking chicken breast is marinating it because it truly infuses your chicken with flavor and tenderizes it. In this post, we’ll teach you everything we know about oven-baked chicken breast along with 6 different ways to flavor it.
What kind of chicken breast should I use?
We recommend using boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but bone-in will work too. You’ll need around 1 – 1.5 lbs. It’s always best to buy high-quality meat, so try and look for organic, free-range chicken breast. This type of meat is not only better for you, but also tastes better. Finally, you want to make sure that your chicken breast is all relatively the same size so that they cook evenly in the oven.
How to Bake Chicken Breast in the Oven – 3 Steps
Flavor Chicken
The two main ways to flavor oven baked chicken breasts for baking are dry rubs and marinades. You guys are absolutely obsessed with our 6 chicken marinade recipes post, and that is how the 6 baked chicken breast recipes in this post were made. Let’s break down both methods below.
Dry rubs give chicken breast a flavor infusion in a different way. Chicken dry rubs and chicken seasonings really add flavor to the outside of your chicken and the flavor is usually pretty strong. Dry rubs can help add texture and sometimes even a crust! Marinades are essentially like a flavor bath for chicken breasts typically made from oil, spices, citrus, and other flavors. Marinades infuse your entire chicken breast leaving them moist and juicy. Marinate your chicken for at least 30 minutes, or for the best results, 2-4 hours.
How much marinade do you need for 1 lb. of chicken? We suggest using around 1/2 cup of marinade per 1 – 1.5 lbs. of chicken breasts. How much dry rub do you need for 1 lb. of chicken breast? Use anywhere from 1-3 tablespoons of dry rub per lb. of chicken breasts. One thing to look out for is the amount of salt in your dry rub. Too much salt is never good.
More flavor ideas!
Salad dressings: salad dressings are our secret weapon for flavoring chicken breast! Try our lemon or Greek salad dressings for a chicken marinade. Dry rubs: keep it simple with a pre-made taco or fajita seasoning. You can even use cajun or everything bagel! Get all of our homemade dry rub recipes here. Sauces: hoping for ovenbaked chicken breast that’s a bit moister? Use a premade sauce such as buffalo, bbq, or enchilada sauce. S&P: salt and pepper might sound boring, but if you’re hoping to make an all-purpose chicken breast for shredding or adding into chili/soup, boring is good!
Bake Chicken @ 375ºF
How long to bake chicken breast at 375ºF?
Bake 1 lb. of chicken breast at 375ºF for 20-25 minutes. You know your chicken is done when the internal temperature reads 160ºF to 165ºF.
How do I know when my chicken is done?
The most scientific way to know that your chicken breast is done cooking is by using a meat thermometer. Stick the thermometer half-way into the thickest part of your chicken breast and then measure the temperature. It should measure at least 160ºF to 165ºF. to be safe to eat. (USDA) No meat thermometer? Your chicken breast should be white in color and firm to the touch. We recommend cutting through the thickest part of the breast and pressing down on it with your finger.
Let chicken breast Rest
Once your chicken has reached 160ºF, remove it from the oven. Then, immediately transfer it to a plate to let rest for 5 minutes. As the chicken sits, the internal temperature will raise 5ºF and reach 165ºF, which is a safe eating temperature for poultry.
Do I have to let my chicken rest?
It is important to let your chicken rest to not only come to a safe eating temperature but to become ultra juicy, As the chicken rests, all of those yummy juices will settle and make your chicken so juicy and tender.
Storage Suggestions
Let chicken cool completely before transferring into an airtight container such as a glass-meal prep container or plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for around 3-5 days. How to reheat chicken: remove chicken from the refrigerator and transfer to a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds. Alternatively, you can reheat on the stove-top or in the oven as well.
Can you freeze baked chicken breast?
We recommend freezing your chicken breast BEFORE it’s baked. If you make one of these delicious chicken breast marinades, simply place the marinade and chicken breast into a gallon-size bag and remove as much air as possible. Then, freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake, remove the bag from the freezer and let thaw completely before following the directions in the recipe card.
Baked Chicken Breast Recipes
Baked Chicken Parmesan Baked Chicken Tenders Baked Lemon Chicken Parmesan Crusted Chicken Baked Teriyaki Chicken Breast
Fajita Baked Chicken
Made with lime juice, garlic, and fajita spices, you will love this fajita baked chicken recipe! It’s not too spicy, but such a great Mexican chicken recipe. Pair this chicken with:
Cilantro Lime Rice Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing Mango Guacamole
Baked Lemon Chicken
This baked lemon chicken is citrusy, juicy, and such a great main meal to serve any night of the week. Marinate your lemon chicken for at least 2 hours and then bake your breast in the marinade. Make sure to save some sauce for serving! Serve your baked lemon chicken with:
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Corn Crispy Roasted Red Potatoes Greek Salad
Baked Balsamic Chicken
Whip up a delicious balsamic chicken marinade and make this baked balsamic chicken. It’s made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, fresh basil, and other spices. Serve your chicken with:
Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Pasta Roasted Root Vegetables Balsamic Sea Salt Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Baked Teriyaki Chicken
Say hello to the most Baked Teriyaki Chicken! This chicken breast is marinated in our homemade teriyaki sauce, baked, and then shredded for serving. Serve it with:
Perfect Quinoa Egg Roll in a Bowl Rainbow Asian Noodle Salad
Baked BBQ Chicken Breast
It doesn’t get any easier than baked BBQ chicken! Whip up this delicious semi-homemade bbq chicken marinade and then bake your chicken breast to perfection. Serve this chicken with:
Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
Baked Italian Chicken
Make your own Italian chicken marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes. This baked chicken breast comes out tender and juicy! Serve it with:
Caprese Quinoa Salad Smashed Red Potatoes Best Baked Potato Salad
