Perfectly baked chicken breasts: juicy, flavorful, and easy. Great for quick dinners, meal prep, or adding protein to any dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each)
→ Seasoning
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Garnish
09 - Lemon slices
10 - Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
→ Simple Marinade
11 - ¼ cup olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
13 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
14 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place between plastic wrap and pound to even ¾-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
03 - Combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well blended.
04 - Rub seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast. For enhanced flavor, marinate in Simple Marinade for 30 minutes to 2 hours, then pat dry before seasoning.
05 - Place chicken breasts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring pieces are not crowded for even cooking.
06 - Bake for 18-22 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F.
07 - Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve warm.
