Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts

These juicy Southern Baked Chicken Breasts features boneless chicken seasoned with a flavorful spice rub, then oven-roasted until perfectly tender. Versatile and delicious, these chicken breasts are perfect served over fresh greens as a hearty salad, as a main dish with your favorite sides, or sliced in a sandwich on a toasted Kaiser roll.

Easy Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

There’s no shortage of delicious ways to cook boneless chicken breasts in southern cuisine. This versatile classic southern chicken cooks quickly and can be transformed into countless family-friendly meals. In my house, chicken is always a hit, whether it’s garlic brown sugar chicken over rice or comforting crockpot chicken and dressing.

Italian-inspired pepperoni pizza chicken and chicken and vegetable foil packs are just a few more of our all-time favorites. This recipe is certain to become a favorite way to make it, due to its ease of preparation and versatility.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make Baked Juicy Chicken Breasts in the oven: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts.
• Sugar – Light brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness to the dry rub and gives the chicken a nice char.
• Spices – Dark chili powder, seasoned salt, lemon pepper or black pepper, granulated garlic or garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, onion powder and cayenne.
• Oil – Olive oil adds flavor and moisture.

How to Make Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts

How do you make easy juicy chicken breasts in the oven? It’s surprisingly simple to do, This particular boneless chicken recipe is a fabulous way to use pantry ingredients that you already have on hand to make a flavorful rub. A homemade seasoning rub adds flavor and a little sass to plain chicken breasts.

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray an oven safe grill pan liberally with cooking spray.
• Prep the Chicken – Pound the thickest portion of each chicken breasts into even thickness.
• Combine Seasonings – Whisk together brown sugar, chili, salt, lemon pepper, garlic, paprika, thyme, onion powder and cayenne.
• Oil – Drizzle chicken pieces on both sides with oil. Sprinkle both sides evenly with seasoning rubbing into the chicken pieces. Place on prepared pan.
• Oven – Bake per the cooking time in the recipe until juices run clear. (Internal temperature of 165°F)
• Stand Time – Rest southern baked chicken breasts for 5 minutes, slice and serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Baked Chicken Breasts

• Oven safe grill pan, sheet pan or broiler pan. You could use a baking dish, in a pinch.
• Small bowl and whisk.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Meat mallet for pounding the chicken.
• Instant read thermometer. (Meat thermometer).

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Chicken – You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, too.
• Bone-In Chicken Breasts – This recipe utilizes boneless skinless chicken breasts. If you’d like to see how to make juicy bone-in chicken breasts in the oven, checkout my recipe for Oven BBQ Chicken Breasts that turns out juicy and delicious every single time.
• Spices – The spice combination in this recipe can be adapted to your taste. You could use seasoned salt like Lawry’s, in place of plain table salt. Feel free to experiment with the spice rub adapting the ingredients using what you have on hand. This particular rub is my go-to for this recipe.
• Herbs – You could add fresh herbs like rosemary, oregano or thyme. Dried thyme works well in this recipe but you can easily customize using your favorite herbs.
• Southern Baked Chicken Recipes – Stuffing options are endless. Checkout my recipe for Oven Fried Provolone Stuffed Chicken Breasts here, whip-up baked Buffalo Wings for your next game day party or quick, easy and spicy Sriracha Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks.

Storage and Leftovers

• Make-Ahead Tip – You can prep the chicken and rub each piece with the dry rub and keep chilled in an airtight container until you’re ready to prepare. Even overnight, when you’re pressed for time.
• Leftovers – Store Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts wrapped in aluminum foil or in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat gently in an air fryer or in the microwave then slice and serve on salads, make quesadillas, sandwiches and wraps, hoagies and more.
• Freezer – Freeze leftover chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

Southern Style Side Dishes to Serve with Oven Baked Chicken

• This Spinach Salad with a Honey Dijon Vinaigrette is filled with apples, bleu cheese toasted pecans and bacon.
• Whip-up a batch of my Homestyle Macaroni Salad for the ultimate warm weather side.
• Mexican Corn on the Cob is sweet and salty.
• Parmesan Smashed Potatoes can be made in advance then baked when you’re ready to eat.
• Honey Garlic Carrots are so simple to make.
• Southern Style Green Beans and Potatoes cooked on the stovetop.
• Teriyaki Rice Pilaf with Peas and Mushrooms is always a winner.
• Sweet and buttery Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
• Broccoli Mac and Cheese will have the kiddos eating their veggies and loving it!
• You may also enjoy this recipe for Garlic Lemon and Herb Grilled Chicken Breasts from Kalyn’s Kitchen.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Sheet Pans
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board