Description
Juicy, flavorful oven-baked chicken breasts coated in a homemade herb garlic butter mixture. This method ensures tender meat every time, preventing the common issue of dry chicken.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If uneven, pound to ½ inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes until a smooth paste forms.
- Place chicken in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread the herb garlic butter mixture evenly over the top of each breast, getting some under the edges if possible.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
- Remove from oven and let rest in the pan for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Slice against the grain and serve warm, spooning any remaining pan butter over the top.
Notes
Pounding chicken to even thickness is crucial for uniform cooking. Do not skip the resting period, as it keeps the meat juicy. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; pull at 160°F as it will continue to cook while resting. If your oven runs hot, cover with foil for the first 15 minutes to prevent butter from burning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken breast, herb garlic butter, oven baked chicken, juicy chicken, weeknight dinner, meal prep, high protein, gluten-free