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5 from 91 votes
This recipe is the simplest way to bake chicken breast for the most juicy chicken every time! The trick is to bake your chicken breasts at 425 degrees. High heat is key!
Whether you’re making the BEST Chicken Caesar Salad, Best Marry Me Chicken, or something else, choose any marinade or seasoning for the flavor you want. Check out all the easy marinades and seasonings below! Then bake your chicken at 425 F degrees, every time! You won’t ever be disappointed.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts – you can use any size chicken breast for this recipe but try to buy pieces that are similar sizes so they are done baking at the same time.
- Seasoning or marinade – you can use any seasoning or marinade you want. See below for easy chicken and marinade ideas! When in doubt, I use a blend of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, since I always have them and they always yield a delicious result!
Easy Chicken Marinades & Seasonings
- Balsamic & extra virgin olive oil – my go-to marinade! Mix together equal parts balsamic and olive oil (1/2 tablespoon each). Great for most every recipe.
- Lemon juice & extra virgin olive oil – great for salads and Italian recipes. Mix together equal parts lemon and olive oil (1/2 tablespoon each).
- Teriyaki – great for Asian recipes and stir-fries. Use 1 tablespoon store-bought teriyaki sauce.
- Chili lime – great for Mexican or Southwest recipes. Use about 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 juiced lime, and a ½ tablespoon olive oil.
- Southwest, Mexican, or Italian herb seasoning blend – store-bought seasonings are awesome, allowing you to easily flavor your chicken for any occasion! Mix about 1 teaspoon of the blend with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Make your own!
How Long to Bake Chicken at 425
It takes 17-21 minutes. See recipe for marinade ideas, details, tips and tricks!
Temperature Chicken Is Done
What temperature is chicken done? Simple! The thickest part of your chicken breast should register at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit!
Use a thermometer to test the middle of the thickest part of your chicken breast for the most accurate results.
Tips for Baking Juicy Chicken Breast
- Use a thermometer to test your chicken and make sure it is not underdone or overdone. Your chicken should register 165 F degrees for food safety but shouldn’t be more than 175 F degrees for the juiciest result.
- Buy chicken breasts that are similar sizes so they will be done baking at the same time!
- Let your chicken rest after cooking for 5 minutes out of the oven before slicing so the chicken retains its juices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I marinate chicken breasts?
My favorite trick is to mix together your marinade, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place a gallon Ziploc bag inside another gallon Ziploc bag. Add chicken to double bag along with marinade. Wash hands, seal bags, and massage chicken with marinade. You can immediately bake your chicken or let it marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours!
What do I marinate chicken breasts in?
You can marinate your chicken breasts in anything you want! Ideas for easy marinades and rubs are listed above. You can simply season your chicken with salt and pepper and bake if you don’t want to marinate your chicken!
How long to marinate chicken?
You can marinate chicken for 1 minute, 2 hours, or 24 hours! The choice is yours! Typically, the longer you marinate your chicken, the more the chicken absorbs the flavor of your marinade.
How do you keep chicken breasts moist?
Bake your chicken at high heat (425 F degrees), and let it rest for 5 minutes after baking and before slicing.
How to keep chicken warm in the oven?
If you aren’t ready to eat, keep chicken warm in the oven in a sealed foil package at 170 degrees for up to an hour.
Why is my chicken breast dry and tough?
Your chicken is likely overcooked or you didn’t let it rest for 5 minutes after baking and before slicing. Make sure to test your chicken with a thermometer so you don’t overcook your chicken…and let it rest out of the oven!
How long should chicken rest?
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking and before slicing, so the chicken retains its juices.
How to slice chicken breast?
Use a serrated knife to slice chicken against the grain (against the natural lines in the chicken breast). If you are cubing it, slice your chicken and then cut the slices in half. See the video below for step-by-step instructions!
What to Serve With Baked Chicken Breast
The options are endless! A few of my favorite side dishes are Vinegar Coleslaw, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn, Sauteed Broccoli, and German Potato Salad.
More Chicken Recipes on Tastefully Grace!
- Dad’s Chicken Saltimbocca
- Chicken Parmesan
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps
- How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs
- Orange Chicken
How to Bake Juicy Chicken Breast
This recipe is the simplest way to bake chicken breast for the most juicy chicken every time! The trick is to bake your chicken breasts at 425 degrees.
5 from 91 votes
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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Keyword: any season, baked, chicken, oven
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 211kcal
Author: Tastefully Grace
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
- Salt and pepper
Marinade or Seasoning of Choice (See Ideas Above!)
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or other marinade)
- ½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (or other marinade)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix together your marinade, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place a gallon Ziploc bag inside another gallon Ziploc bag. Add chicken to double bag along with marinade. Wash hands, seal bags, and massage chicken with marinade. You can also toss your chicken in the marinade directly on a baking sheet if you don’t have plastic bags.
Remove chicken from your plastic bags and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Line baking sheet with foil for less cleanup!
Place chicken in the oven for 17-21 minutes, depending on the size of your breasts. Use a thermometer to test chicken in the thickest part. It should register at least 165 degrees when cooked.
Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or cubing.
Video
Notes
- You can immediately bake your chicken or let it marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 632mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 51IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
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