Description
This recipe provides a simple method for baking chicken breasts in the oven to achieve a consistently moist and tender result using garlic butter seasoning.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere.
- In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley until combined.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of the garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing or serving. This resting period keeps the juices inside.
Notes
- For extra moisture, you can briefly soak the chicken breasts in a simple brine (1 cup water to 1 tablespoon salt) for 15 minutes before seasoning and baking. Pat them very dry afterward.
- Use an oven-safe meat thermometer to check the internal temperature accurately; do not rely only on time.
- If your chicken breasts are very thick, pound them slightly to an even thickness before seasoning for more uniform cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 110