How to Bake Chicken Breasts So They’re Always Juicy, Never Dry
Follow our easy, no-fail steps for moist and flavorful meat that will pair perfectly with any meal.
Knowing how to bake chicken breasts is a kitchen skill you’ll likely use your entire life. Many families default to chicken for dinner when they need something everyone will eat. Baking chicken is an easy way to cook this staple, and add to pasta, salads, or grain-based side dishes for a simple meal on busy weeknights. Plus, baked chicken breast stores remarkably well, which means it’s great for make-ahead meals. We like baked chicken because it can be (much) more flavorful than boiled chicken and less hands-on than skillet-cooked chicken and grilled chicken.
Related: 4 Easy Ways to Cook Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
How to Bake Chicken Breasts
From seasoning to slicing, here’s our step-by-step guide to how to bake chicken breasts.
Step 1: Choose Your Seasoning
While your oven preheats to 375°F, pick your favorite seasonings or prepare a spice rub to add pizzazz to plain chicken breasts. You could season with salt and pepper, garlic powder, lemon-pepper seasoning, seasoned salt, or anything in your spice cabinet.
Test Kitchen Tip
If you’ll be adding baked chicken breasts to a boldly flavored dish, keep the seasonings simple so the flavor doesn’t overpower.
Step 2: Prep the Chicken Breasts for Baking
Brush chicken breasts with oil and sprinkle with your chosen seasonings. Rub spices into the breasts to be sure they stick. Don’t forget to season both sides for the biggest flavor. Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking or roasting pan.
Test Kitchen Tip
Line your baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray for easy cleanup of your baked chicken breasts.
Step 3: Bake Chicken Breasts
We already mentioned the temperature to bake chicken breasts, but we know your real question is how long it takes to bake them. These guidelines for how to bake chicken breasts are based on 6- to 8-ounce breasts. If your breasts are larger than 8 ounces, check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer ($22, Target) after 30 minutes of baking and increase the baking time as needed.
Bake chicken breasts uncovered at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer shows the chicken is heated to 165°F.
To store: Let chicken stand 30 minutes to cool. Individually wrap chicken breasts in waxed or parchment paper ($4, Target). Divide wrapped chicken between large freezer bags, removing as much air as possible from bags. Label and freeze up to 4 months.
Experiment with new seasonings, or stick to a favorite you know the whole family likes. Now that you know how to bake chicken breasts, you can have fun and play with flavors and recipes.
Related: Waxed Paper vs. Parchment Paper: What You Need to Know
More Guides to Cooking Meat
How to Cook Brisket 4 Ways for Flavorful, Tender Meat Every Time
How to Cook Ham for a Classic Holiday Dinner You'll Remember
How to Cook Pork Ribs in the Oven, Slow Cooker, or on the Grill
How Long to Cook Steak on a Grill for Perfect Results Every Time
For more Better Homes & Gardens news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens.
