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Title Image for 8 Secrets to the BEST baked chicken and a baking dish with seasoned baked chicken breasts

The BEST Baked Chicken Breast


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  • Author: Melissa Griffiths - Bless this Mess
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 min
  • Yield: 4 large chicken breasts 1x

Description

This is my Best Baked Chicken Breast recipe and always a hit with my family! Discover my 8 secret steps to making the most delicious baked chicken breast known to your kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tablespoons salt
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 large chicken breasts
  • 4 teaspoons oil or melted butter
  • 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika (smoked is awesome), and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Add the salt and water to a large bowl and stir until the salt dissolves.
  2. Add the chicken breasts to the brine and let them rest for around 30 minutes (and no longer than 1 hour or the chicken will be salty)
  3. Remove the chicken from the water and pat it dry with paper towels.
  4. If the chicken is uneven in thickness, gentle pound the chicken into a more uniform thickness.
  5. Place the chicken in a baking dish and brush with melted butter or oil on both sides.
  6. Mix the additional salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Season both sides of the chicken with the seasoning mix.
  7. Bake in a hot (450 F degree) oven for 15-20 minutes. Use a cooking thermometer to measure the temperature at the thickest part of the breast, it should be between 160-170 degrees F.  (The FDA recommends 170 degrees F.)
  8. Once the chicken is cooked, remove the pan from the oven and loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil.  Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. This baked chicken is fool-proof! Make sure that the chicken is cooked through and then let it rest. If your chicken is a little thick, it might take a few minutes longer to cook then my suggested times.
  2. This is a simple way to prep a lot of chicken. Bake a pan full, store the rest in an airtight container in the fridge, and then use it all week long. It’s really easy to chop or shred this chicken for other recipes and it reheats really well.
  3. I have explained the how and why of all of the steps in a lot of detail in the post. Check it out.
  • Prep Time: 40 min
  • Cook Time: 15 min
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American