How to Bake Chicken Breast (and How Long)

Baking chicken breast in the oven doesn’t have to produce dry or bland meat. At 425°F, oven-baked chicken breast develops a golden, seasoned exterior with a juicy, tender center. Chicken breast baking time varies by weight, with most breasts ready within 10–25 minutes.

Serve it for dinner alongside a simple side, or use it in salads, sandwiches, tacos, wraps, and meal prep. If you enjoy versatile chicken dinners, Healthy Stuffed Chicken Breast is another oven-baked option, while Instant Pot Whole Chicken works well when you need enough chicken for several meals.

How Long to Bake Chicken Breast

At 425°F (220°C), boneless chicken breasts weighing 5–12 ounces generally take 10–25 minutes to bake.

The weight and thickness of the chicken matter more than one universal baking time. Start checking smaller breasts first when several different sizes are cooking together.

Use the times as a guide and check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Baking Times at Different Oven Temperatures

The best temperature to bake chicken breast for this method is 425°F (220°C). It keeps the cooking time relatively short and allows the seasoned exterior to brown.

Lower or higher oven temperatures require different cooking times. Weight and thickness also affect how long to cook chicken breast in the oven, which is why an instant-read thermometer provides a more reliable indication of doneness than time alone.

Chicken breasts in the same package can vary considerably in size. Weigh each breast individually and bake pieces of similar weight and size together for more even results.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – 4 breasts. Choose pieces of similar size when possible for more even cooking.
• Olive oil – 2 tablespoons. Coats the chicken and helps the seasoning stick before baking.
• Taco seasoning or dry rub – 1 oz, about 3 tablespoons. Season both sides generously for a savory, smoky finish. Store-bought or homemade seasoning both work well.
• Paprika – 4 teaspoons. Brings mild warmth and rich color to the chicken as it bakes.
• Garlic powder – 2 teaspoons. Distributes garlic evenly throughout the seasoning without adding moisture.
• Brown sugar – 1 teaspoon. Balances the spices and encourages browning on the outside of the chicken.
• Onion powder – 2 teaspoons. Deepens the savory flavor of the seasoning.
• Salt – 1 teaspoon. Use less if the chicken has been brined or already contains an added sodium solution.
• Ground cumin – ½ teaspoon. Brings warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with paprika and chili.
• Black pepper – 1 teaspoon. Sharpens the other spices without making the seasoning too hot.
• Chili powder or cayenne – ½ teaspoon, optional. Use either for extra heat, or leave it out for a milder version.

How to Bake Chicken Breast

Make the Homemade Seasoning

1. Mix the seasoning: Combine the paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, onion powder, salt, ground cumin, black pepper, and optional chili powder or cayenne in a small bowl. Skip this section if using store-bought taco seasoning or another dry rub.

Prepare and Brine the Chicken Breast

1. Prepare the chicken: Place plastic wrap over the chicken breasts. Gently pound the thicker portions with a meat mallet or rolling pin to create a more even thickness.
2. Prepare the brine: Dissolve the salt in lukewarm water. Refrigerate the brine until completely chilled before adding the chicken.
3. Brine the chicken: Submerge the chicken breasts in the chilled brine for at least 15 minutes and up to 6 hours. Keep the chicken covered and refrigerated during brining. Skip the brine if you're short on time. PIC. 1
4. Dry the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the brine and discard the used brine. Pat the chicken dry before adding the oil and seasoning.

Bake the Chicken Breast

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Season the chicken: Brush the chicken breasts all over with olive oil. Season them well on all sides with taco seasoning, homemade seasoning, or another dry rub. Press the seasoning onto the chicken with your hands to help it stick. PIC. 2 & 3
3. Prepare the baking sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Alternatively, line the baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil. Arrange the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the chicken: Bake for 10–25 minutes, based on the weight of each breast. Bake 5-ounce breasts for 10–13 minutes, 7-ounce breasts for 14–18 minutes, 10-ounce breasts for 19–24 minutes, and 12-ounce breasts for 22–25 minutes. Flip each breast halfway through its baking time. PIC. 4
   Note: Check the thickest part of each breast with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. Rest and slice: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 3–5 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve.

FAQ About Baked Chicken Breast

What to Serve with Baked Chicken Breast

• Vegetables: Serve it with Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, zucchini, or roasted vegetables.
• Potatoes: Pair it with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, baked potatoes, potato wedges, or sweet potatoes.
• Rice and grains: Serve it with white rice, brown rice, quinoa, couscous, farro, or another favorite grain.
• Salads: Slice the chicken and serve it over a Caesar salad, green salad, pasta salad, or grain salad.
• Bread: Pair it with garlic bread, dinner rolls, flatbread, pita bread, or crusty bread.
• Tacos and wraps: Slice or shred the chicken for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, wraps, or nachos.
• Sandwiches: Use sliced baked chicken breast in sandwiches, burgers, pitas, or toasted chicken sandwiches.

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4.85 from 13 votes

How to Bake Chicken Breast and for How Long

Juicy chicken starts with knowing how to bake chicken breast properly, and this simple 30-minute oven method makes tender, flavorful chicken for dinner, meal prep, or freezing.

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories204 kcal

Author Valentina Dimitrova

Cost $ 0.75 per person

Equipment

• oven
• baking sheet

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts preferably boneless and skinless
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 oz taco seasoning or use the homemade seasoning recipe

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Homemade Seasoning

• Mix the seasoning: Combine the paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, onion powder, salt, ground cumin, black pepper, and optional chili powder or cayenne in a small bowl. Skip this section if using store-bought taco seasoning or another dry rub.

Prepare and Brine the Chicken Breast

• Prepare the chicken: Place plastic wrap over the chicken breasts. Gently pound the thicker portions with a meat mallet or rolling pin to create a more even thickness.
• Prepare the brine: Dissolve the salt in lukewarm water. Refrigerate the brine until completely chilled before adding the chicken.
• Brine the chicken: Submerge the chicken breasts in the chilled brine for at least 15 minutes and up to 6 hours. Keep the chicken covered and refrigerated during brining. Skip the brine if you're short on time.
• Dry the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the brine and discard the used brine. Pat the chicken dry before adding the oil and seasoning.

Bake the Chicken Breast

• Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes.
• Season the chicken: Brush the chicken breasts all over with olive oil. Season them well on all sides with taco seasoning, homemade seasoning, or another dry rub. Press the seasoning onto the chicken with your hands to help it stick.
• Prepare the baking sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Alternatively, line the baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil. Arrange the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake the chicken: Bake for 10–25 minutes, based on the weight of each breast. Bake 5-ounce breasts for 10–13 minutes, 7-ounce breasts for 14–18 minutes, 10-ounce breasts for 19–24 minutes, and 12-ounce breasts for 22–25 minutes. Flip each breast halfway through its baking time.

  Note: Check the thickest part of each breast with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Rest and slice: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 3–5 minutes. Slice against the grain and serve.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• Bone-in chicken breasts will take longer to bake.
• Store-bought taco seasoning may need extra salt, about 1 teaspoon per pound of chicken.

Storage and Reheating

Store: Refrigerate baked chicken breast in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Freeze: Cool the chicken before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. It also works well for easy freezer meals and meal prep.

Reheat: Reheat the chicken to 165°F (74°C). Avoid heating it longer than necessary because lean chicken breast can dry out.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 9.9g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72.3mg | Sodium: 703mg | Potassium: 418.2mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 1.3g | Vitamin A: 698.8IU | Vitamin C: 4.5mg | Calcium: 5.7mg | Iron: 0.9mg

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