Simple Baked Chicken Breasts

If you have had enough of dry chicken, the story is about to change! These simple baked chicken breasts are delicious and juicy with no fuss!

Baked Chicken Breasts with Salt & Pepper 

Every now and then, I like to come back to basics. Yes, I love infusing chicken with herbs and spices as I do in my recipes for rosemary chicken or lemon thyme chicken, but sometimes, simple baked chicken breasts with salt and pepper are exactly what I crave.

With this recipe, you’ll get the most juicy and tender chicken breasts using oil, salt, and pepper. Even if you run out of everything, I know you have these in your pantry.

How to Bake Salt & Pepper Chicken Breasts 

Here are the steps you’ll follow for delicious and juicy chicken breasts:

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the chicken in a greased baking dish, drizzle with oil, and add the liquid.
2. Bake in a preheated oven. After 20 minutes, baste the chicken breasts with the juices in the dish to keep the meat juicy. Cook for 5 more minutes, then check the chicken breasts’ internal temperature. When it reaches 165F, it’s ready!
3. Let it rest for 5 minutes before squeezing some lemon juice, and serve with your favorite sides.

Seasoning Options for Baked Chicken Breasts 

You can give this meal the flavor profile you like the most. Some delicious options are:

• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Blackened seasoning
• Italian seasoning
• Poultry seasoning
• Taco seasoning
• Creole seasoning
• Roasted vegetable seasoning

How to Store Leftovers 

Allow these simple baked chicken breasts to cool down and place them in an airtight container. Store chicken in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. If you prefer freezing leftovers, they’ll last up to 4 months in a proper container.

Sides for Serving 

A simple recipe like these baked chicken breasts calls for quick and easy sides, so while the chicken cooks, you can make this easy side salad or this carrot raisin salad. You can also use the oven to cook broccolini or lemon roasted asparagus.

Simple Baked Chicken Breasts

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper, can be baked to perfection with this simple recipe. 

5 from 8 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup water or broth
• 1 lemon, if you have it

Instructions

Prep:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease a baking dish with a little olive oil or spray. Tip: use the smallest oven-safe dish you can fit the breasts tightly to help them retain their juices.
• Pat dry the chicken breasts with a couple of paper towels. Season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared dish and drizzle the olive oil over the tops of the breasts. Pour the chicken broth or water into the bottom of the baking dish.

Bake:

• Bake the chicken breasts in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165F. After 20 minutes, I recommend opening the oven and basting the chicken breasts with the juices in the dish a couple of times to ensure they stay juicy.
• Remove them from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes.

Serve:

• If you have a lemon, slice it in half and squeeze it over the top of the breasts right before serving.

Equipment

Free Meal Planner Printable

Meat Thermometer

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 714mg | Potassium: 423mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.003g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.5mg