Healthy Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy & Easy) Recipe
This Healthy Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a simple and easy preparation. The chicken breasts are lightly brined to enhance moisture, seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, and then baked to tender perfection. Perfect for a nutritious dinner or meal prep, this recipe is straightforward and yields moist, delicious results every time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (including brining time of 10 minutes minimum)
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Total Time: 33-37 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Brine
- 4 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Sea salt (or kosher salt)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1/2 tsp Paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Brine the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl and cover them with about 4 cups of water. Add 1/4 cup sea salt and stir until mostly dissolved. Let the chicken sit in the brine for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator to enhance juiciness.
- Prepare the chicken: After brining, drain the salt water and rinse the chicken breasts under cold water. Pat them dry completely with paper towels to ensure proper seasoning adherence.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) to get it ready for baking.
- Arrange and oil the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, making sure they have enough space without overlapping or barely touching. Brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil to help the seasoning stick and promote browning.
- Season the chicken: Evenly sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper over both sides of each chicken breast for a balanced, flavorful crust.
- Bake the chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes until the chicken feels firm, has no pink inside, and the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees Fahrenheit (71-74 degrees Celsius). The temperature will continue to rise slightly during resting.
- Rest before serving: Cover the chicken with foil and let it rest for 5 minutes. This step allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist and tender bite. Slice and serve thereafter.
Notes
- Brining the chicken is optional but highly recommended for extra juiciness.
- Use a probe or instant-read thermometer to accurately check doneness and avoid overcooking.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after baking ensures it retains moisture and improves texture.
- Adjust seasoning amounts based on personal preference and dietary needs.
- For smoked flavor, substitute smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
Keywords: Healthy baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, low fat chicken, baked chicken, simple chicken dinner
