How to Bake Chicken Breast and for How Long
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
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
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
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