Jun 20, 2022
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Gone are the days you eat dry, boneless skinless chicken breasts. This recipe for baked split chicken breasts will leave you wondering, where has this been my whole life?
Once you learn how to split chicken breasts, it’s fun to see how many different ways you can bake them with your favorite sauces and seasonings.
What are Split Chicken Breasts
A split chicken breast is where the chest of the chicken has been split in half. Each piece includes the rib bone, the chicken tender, and the breast meat plus the skin.
How to Bake Split Chicken Breasts
Split chicken breasts take longer to bake than just the breast meat but not as long as the whole bird. It’s the best of both worlds, juicy chicken and the leanest cuts.
Follow the directions below to bake chicken breasts perfectly every time.
- Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking pan with parchment paper. - Mix the herbs
In a bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, and salt. Once zested, slice the lemon in half. Juice the lemon, and set it aside. - Cover the chicken breasts
Place the split chicken breasts on the lined baking sheet. Pour the lemon juice over the chicken and spread the garlic-herb mixture over the top of the chicken breasts. - Bake
After 45 minutes, check the chicken’s internal temperature and continue baking until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165F. Cooking time might vary based on the size of chicken breast, on average, you’ll need 55min, highly recommend cooking chicken by temperature. - Broil for crispy skin
For a crispier skin, switch your oven from Bake to Broil, and broil the tops for 2 minutes before removing them from the oven. - Let the chicken rest
Remove the pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, drizzle juices over the top served with your favorite vegetable.
Is It Better to Bake Split Chicken Breasts at 350F or 400F?
I like to bake split breasts at 350F because the lower and slower temperature allows for the moisture to retain better so that the chicken breasts don’t dry out.
How Long to Bake Split Chicken Breasts
Have other things you want to bake at the same time? No problem, the following chart shows the cooking times for split chicken breast at different temperatures.
Split Chicken Breasts Baking Chart
| Size | Oven Temp | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| +/- 8 oz | 350F / 175C | 50-55 min |
| +/- 8 oz | 375F / 190C | 45-50 min |
| +/- 8 oz | 400F / 200C | 40-45 min |
*Total cooking time will vary based on the size of the chicken breast.
How to Tell When Bone-In Chicken Breasts are Done
Visually, you’ll notice that the skin is golden brown and the meat has cooked through and is white without any translucent or pinkish coloring.
You will also want to use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature of the chicken when pierced at the thickest part of the breast but away from the bone.
As long as the reading shows 165F, the chicken breasts are safe to eat.
How to Season Roasted Split Chicken Breasts
A simple olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and herb mixture will give you enough seasoning to flavor split chicken breasts.
If the pieces have skin on them but you don’t plan on eating it, be extra generous with your seasoning or season your split breasts below the skin.
Below you’ll find a printable recipe to help you get started.
What to Serve with Split Chicken Breasts
Since chicken is such a versatile meal idea, there are so many side dishes that you can serve with it!
Some of my favorites are:
Easy-to-Make Juicy Split Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 3 split chicken breasts bone-in, skin-on
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced or grated
- 1 ½ tablespoon chopped fresh thyme and rosemary*
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 medium lemon zested and divided
- Fresh herbs thyme
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, herbs, lemon zest, and salt. Once zested, slice the lemon in half. Juice the lemon, and set it aside.
- Place the split chicken breasts on the lined baking sheet. Pour the lemon juice over the chicken and spread the garlic-herb mixture over the top of the chicken breasts.
- Bake for 45 minutes, check the chicken’s internal temperature; and with a spoon, drizzle some of the juices over the top. Continue baking until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165F. Total cooking time will vary based on the size of the chicken breast, on average, you’ll need 55min-1hour, I highly recommend cooking chicken by temperature.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, drizzle juices over the top served with your favorite vegetable.
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