Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Other
- Cooking spray
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425˚F (220˚C) to ensure it’s hot enough to quickly cook the chicken breast and keep it juicy.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Flatten Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook uniformly. Then transfer them to the prepared baking dish and spray all sides generously with cooking spray.
- Season Chicken: Evenly sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the spice mixture prepared earlier, ensuring full coverage.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken registers 165˚F (74˚C) on an instant-read thermometer.
- Rest Chicken: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 to 7 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute for maximum tenderness.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the chicken breasts with fresh parsley before serving to add a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to pound chicken breasts to an even thickness; this helps them cook evenly and avoids dryness.
- Using an instant-read thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken without overcooking.
- For smoky flavor, opt for smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and used in salads or sandwiches.
- Adjust seasoning quantities based on your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
