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Healthy Baked Chicken Breast (Juicy & Easy) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 56 reviews

This Healthy Baked Chicken Breast recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken breasts with a simple brine and flavorful seasoning. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, the chicken is brined to retain moisture and then baked to perfection with Italian herbs and spices.

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

  1. Brine the chicken: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of water with 1/4 cup sea salt and stir until mostly dissolved. Submerge the chicken breasts in the brine, making sure they are fully covered. Let them sit for 10 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 24 hours to enhance moisture retention.
  2. Prepare chicken: After brining, drain the salty water, rinse the chicken breasts thoroughly under cold water, and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) to get it ready for high-temperature baking, which helps in achieving a nicely cooked exterior and juicy interior.
  4. Season the chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a baking dish, spacing them so they do not touch or just barely touch. Brush both sides of each breast with olive oil to add moisture and help the seasoning stick.
  5. Add seasonings: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper evenly over both sides of each chicken breast to infuse flavor.
  6. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake the chicken breasts for 18-22 minutes or until they feel firm and have no pink in the center. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached between 160-165°F (71-74°C). The temperature will rise slightly during resting.
  7. Rest: Remove the chicken from the oven, cover the dish loosely with foil, and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This resting period allows juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicy and tender chicken breast ready to serve or slice.

Notes

  • Brining the chicken for up to 24 hours improves moisture retention and tenderness.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for the best results.
  • Resting the chicken before slicing ensures juiciness.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste or substitute smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
  • Leftover chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: baked chicken breast, healthy chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken, Italian seasoning chicken

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/healthy-baked-chicken-breast-juicy-and-easy-recipe/