There’s something about baked chicken that just screams “weeknight lifesaver.” I mean, who doesn’t want a dinner that’s both juicy and packed with flavor—without babysitting a frying pan? I still remember the first time I nailed this recipe… I pulled the tray out of the oven, and my roommate swore I’d picked it up from a restaurant. Spoiler: nope, just a few pantry spices and a little brown sugar magic.

And trust me, the smell while it bakes? You’ll have people wandering into the kitchen asking, “Is it ready yet?”

Recipe Card: Juicy Baked Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1–2 teaspoons paprika (depending on how smoky you like it)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Olive oil (just a drizzle)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat your chicken breasts dry—seriously, this helps the seasoning stick.
3. Mix together all the spices and brown sugar in a small bowl.
4. Rub a little olive oil over the chicken, then coat with the seasoning mix. (Don’t be shy here, get those hands messy!)
5. Place on a baking dish or lined sheet pan.
6. Bake for about 18–22 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temp hits 165°F.
7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. (This keeps it juicy instead of sad and dry.)

Optional pro move: sprinkle some fresh parsley or squeeze lemon juice over the top before serving. Boom—dinner’s done.

FAQ’s

Juicy Baked Chicken

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• Author: Emily
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

There’s something about baked chicken that just screams “weeknight lifesaver.” I mean, who doesn’t want a dinner that’s both juicy and packed with flavor—without babysitting a frying pan?

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1–2 teaspoons paprika (depending on how smoky you like it)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Olive oil (just a drizzle)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat your chicken breasts dry—seriously, this helps the seasoning stick.
3. Mix together all the spices and brown sugar in a small bowl.
4. Rub a little olive oil over the chicken, then coat with the seasoning mix. (Don’t be shy here, get those hands messy!)
5. Place on a baking dish or lined sheet pan.
6. Bake for about 18–22 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temp hits 165°F.
7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. (This keeps it juicy instead of sad and dry.)
8. Optional pro move: sprinkle some fresh parsley or squeeze lemon juice over the top before serving. Boom—dinner’s done.

Notes

So there you go—juicy baked chicken that’s simple enough for a Tuesday night but tasty enough to brag about. Pair it with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or throw it over a salad when you’re feeling “healthy-ish.”

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: juicy baked chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner

Conclusion

So there you go—juicy baked chicken that’s simple enough for a Tuesday night but tasty enough to brag about. Honestly, once you make this a couple times, you’ll probably memorize the spice mix and whip it up without thinking. Pair it with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or just throw it over a salad when you’re feeling “healthy-ish.”

And hey, don’t be surprised if this becomes your go-to “what’s for dinner” recipe. It’s quick, it’s flavorful, and it saves you from another night of takeout.