Juicy Baked Chicken Breast

Préparation

1. 1

   Preheat the oven

   Preheat your oven to 425°F. This high heat is what gives you a golden crust while keeping the inside juicy. Line a baking dish or sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup.

2. 2

   Pound to even thickness

   Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a zip-lock bag. Using a rolling pin or meat mallet, gently pound the thickest part down until the whole breast is roughly 3/4-inch thick. This helps it cook evenly so nothing is dry at the edges while the center is underdone.

3. 3

   Season the chicken

   In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Rub the chicken breasts all over with olive oil, then coat every surface generously with the spice mixture. Don't skip the undersides.

4. 4

   Arrange and top with butter

   Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, spacing them apart so they roast rather than steam. Lay a small pat of butter on top of each breast — this bastes the chicken as it bakes and helps deepen the golden color.

5. 5

   Bake until cooked through

   Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, depending on thickness. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F. The surface should be golden-brown with the butter melted and pooled around the edges.

6. 6

   Rest before slicing

   Remove the chicken from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5 full minutes before cutting — this is not optional. Resting lets the juices redistribute back through the meat so every slice stays moist instead of running out onto the cutting board.