Healthy Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy & Easy) Recipe
This Healthy Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a simple brine and seasoning blend, baked to perfection. It’s an easy, quick method that ensures tender, moist chicken breasts perfect for a nutritious meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus brining time of 10 minutes to 24 hours)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes (or up to 24 hours including brining)
- 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 moisture retention.
- Prepare the chicken: Drain the brine water, rinse the chicken breasts under cold water to remove excess salt, and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius) to get it nice and hot for baking.
- Season the chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish, making sure they fit without overlapping. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with olive oil to promote browning and prevent sticking.
- Apply the seasoning: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts for a balanced flavor profile.
- Bake the chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until the chicken is firm, no longer pink in the center, and reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F (71-74°C). Use a probe or instant-read thermometer to verify doneness.
- Rest before serving: Cover the chicken breasts loosely with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and tender result when sliced.
Notes
- Brining the chicken helps to keep it moist and tender during baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking the chicken and drying it out.
- You can substitute smoked paprika for regular paprika to add a mild smoky flavor.
- Resting the chicken after baking is key for retaining juices.
- For meal prep, store cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Keywords: healthy baked chicken breast, easy chicken breast recipe, juicy baked chicken, simple chicken dinner, brined chicken breast
