If you’ve ever wondered how long to bake a chicken breast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re in the right place! Get the best tried and true recipe for the easiest and juiciest baked chicken breast recipe.
These oven-baked chicken breasts are tender, juicy, and flavorful. Delicious as an entrée, paired with my Roasted Mushrooms or Baby Carrots, or slice and toss in salads, wraps, or tacos.
It’s so easy it just takes three minutes hands-on time! Even better, it requires only staple ingredients (in addition to the chicken breast, of course!)
I’m always turning to one of my favorite easy weeknight meals – baked chicken breasts. Why? Because they are so flexible and easy to make for so many of our favorite meals when we have leftovers!
We have been making this simple recipe for years! We make this easy baked chicken breast all the time – especially during the week when we’re short on time.
Baked Chicken Breast
It’s a delicious entrée, but it also makes weekly meal prep easy. You can make oven baked chicken ahead to enjoy in several different ways throughout the week.
Why You’ll Love It
Ingredients and Substitutions
See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.
- Chicken Breasts – Choose medium-sized chicken breasts that aren’t too thick on one side. If they are, pound with a meat mallet to even them out for better cooking.
- Olive Oil – You can also use butter if you prefer.
- Seasoning – Customize this baked chicken with your favorite seasoning. You can even use a pre-packaged seasoning for a shortcut!
Variations
- I love using my very favorite poultry seasoning blend in this recipe- it adds so much incredible flavor!
- Ranch Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Italian Seasoning Recipe
- Fiesta Ranch
- Fajita Seasoning
- Blackened Seasoning
How to Bake a Chicken Breast at 400
- Prep – Preheat oven. Coat your chicken in olive oil (no need to marinate) and place in a baking dish.
- Season – Sprinkle your favorite spices or seasonings on both sides of your chicken breast. You can even go simple with just salt and pepper if you prefer.
- Bake – Uncovered, as directed.
- Rest, Slice and Serve – Pull your chicken out of the oven and allow it to rest. Slice, dice or shred, and serve as suggested below.
Free Printable Meat Temperature Chart
Get the free printable Meat Temperature Chart to ensure your chicken is cooked properly based on the cooking method and meat you select.
Tips
- This recipe is for chicken breasts that are approximately an inch thick. Depending on the thickness, you may need to add on a few extra minutes of cooking time.
- Rest time is very important. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven! It will continue to cook, sealing in the moisture.
- Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken if one side of the chicken is thicker than the other side. This should help it cook more evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coming in at just 271 guilt-free calories it’s my go to, especially during swimsuit season.
We enjoy baked chicken breast on a bed of pasta, on tacos, in taco salad, with a side of vegetables, on salad and more! It’s the most versatile recipe and can be easily adapted with your favorite seasoning.
Side Dishes for Chicken
- Consider a wholesome, homemade side dish like Gratin Dauphinois.
- Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Roasted Italian Veggies
- Pasta is great with baked chicken – it’s so good with this White Wine Sauce.
- Salad – try with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Leftover Ideas
Use this baked chicken in this easy Chicken Wrap, make a Taco Salad or add to Cheese Quesadillas. We also love this baked chicken for Chicken Tacos!
How to Store
- At Room Temperature – Don’t leave your baked chicken out at room temperature for more than two hours while serving.
- Refrigerate – This baked chicken breast can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Use an airtight container for storage.
- Freeze – Allow chicken to cool. Place whole chicken breasts, chopped chicken, or shredded chicken into airtight storage containers or freezer bags. Label and then freeze. Keep frozen for up to 4-6 months.
Reheat
- Let thaw in refrigerator and then reheat in oven or skillet.
- To keep chicken moist, let simmer in a covered skillet or covered pan in the oven with a few tablespoons of chicken stock.
More Chicken Dishes You'll Love
Baked Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- In a baking dish, brush both sides of chicken breast with olive oil and sprinkle on seasoning.
- Bake 20 minutes uncovered. Remove from oven.
- Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes to continue to cook. Slice or dice.
Julie’s Tips
Tips
- This recipe is for chicken breasts that are approximately an inch thick. Depending on the thickness, you may need to add on a few extra minutes of cooking time.
- Rest time is very important. Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven! It will continue to cook, sealing in the moisture.
- Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken if one side of the chicken is thicker than the other side. This should help it cook more evenly.
For Seasoning
Use any of your favorite seasoning packets or make your own from one of these fabulous homemade seasoning blends!Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
This is always such a good staple. I keep coming back to it. 😍
Hi Vanessa,
I love to hear that and I totally agree! Such a great simple recipe to have on hand.
Have a beautiful day,
Julie
I’ve made this a few times now, varying the spice or marinade, and each time it comes out perfect! Thank you!
This has become my go-to way of making chicken breasts. They always come out moist and perfectly done! And I love the versatility – so many herb and spice combinations work well. A current favorite combination is orange, basil, cumin, and red onion.
Thanks, Susan! So glad you enjoy it!
This sounds so good – I’m going to try it – but I have a question – does this work if your chicken is frozen? I always have chicken in the freezer but forget to take it out to thaw and if I defrost in the microwave it starts to cook and then it tastes dried out! Help!
I’m not sure how long it would take to bring frozen chicken to a baked state. I also worry it wouldn’t be as juice. If you decide to try it you can use an internal meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. We tend to make this a lot on Mondays because I grocery shop on Sundays and can leave it refrigerated.
Easy, juicy and so delicious. I use this recipe all the time!
I’m so glad you love it, too!