Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
These easy Baked Chicken Breasts are marinated in a simple brine before being seasoned to perfection and baked in the oven until golden, tender, and JUICY!
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Brine Ingredients:
- ¼ cup kosher salt $0.14
- ¼ cup granulated sugar $0.18
- 2 quarts cold water $0.00
Chicken Breast Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.) $10.92
- 2 ½ tsp smoked paprika $0.25
- 2 tsp brown sugar $0.04
- 1 ½ tsp salt $0.08
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder $0.15
- 1 tsp onion powder $0.10
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.05
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper $0.05
- 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.12
Instructions
- Start by making the brine. In a large bowl add the kosher salt, granulated sugar, and water. Whisk until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover them with plastic wrap, then use a rolling pin or a meat mallet to gently pound the chicken breast until the entire breast is an even thickness from one end to the other (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick).
- Place the chicken breasts in the brine mixture, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and place the bowl in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl mix the smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, freshly cracked black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- After 30 minutes remove the chicken breasts from the brine and rinse under cold water. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes.
- Now drizzle the olive oil over both sides of the chicken breasts, then generously coat both sides with the seasoning blend. Rub the seasoning into the breasts with your hands making sure the entire chicken breast is evenly coated with spices.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a large 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered for 18-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.*
- Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes so the juices can redistribute throughout the breast. Serve and enjoy!
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Notes
- You can also remove the chicken from the oven once it reaches an internal temperature between 160-165°F. I like to then cover the chicken with aluminum foil so it stays warm. The chicken will naturally continue to cook while it's resting. Just make sure it reaches the final internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 1006mg | Fiber: 1g