This juicy baked chicken breast is my family’s secret recipe…but it’s a secret no more! With my simple oven-baked method, you’ll get the juiciest, most tender chicken breasts you’ve ever tasted. My special brown sugar seasoning mix gives this chicken an irresistible flavor that pairs well with everything. It’s one of my favorite chicken recipes of all time, and hundreds of star ratings back me up on this!
Top Reader Reviews
My husband and I loved this chicken!! It was easy to prepare too!
–
Really loved this. Didn’t know what to make for dinner but knew I wanted chicken breasts. Found this recipe and it was fast, simple and delicious. Can’t wait to enjoy it again!
–
Juiciest Oven-Baked Chicken Breast Recipe
My baked brown sugar chicken breast is so tender and juicy, and it’s super easy to make in the oven. A little bit of brown sugar in the seasoning rub is my secret to the addictive flavor. The sugar caramelizes the chicken as though it was pan seared, without all the effort and babysitting of stovetop cooking. My savory seasoning blend of paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary adds just the right amount of flavor and really sets this simple chicken breast recipe apart from the crowd. This is a total staple recipe in my house and it’s perfect for meal prepping!
Email this recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Easy Chicken Recipes.
“Mom, it worked!”🏅
My 8-year-old helped me make these. Half is for tonight’s Chicken Noodle Casserole dinner, and half is for tomorrow. I told him if we used this spice rub, and cooked them just right to 165℉ (actually, they were 163.4℉), that they’d come out super juicy. He loved testing the temp and was so excited when he saw how perfect they turned out.
Baked Brown Sugar Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (*)
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 350℉.
- In a medium sized bowl, add brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary. Mix well.1½ tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- Drizzle olive oil over chicken breasts to coat evenly.2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add chicken breasts to the bowl with the spice mixture, and evenly coat the chicken breasts.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Add seasoned chicken breast to the sheet pan, add fresh herbs if desired, and bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Slice chicken breasts and enjoy!
Notes
- This simple baked chicken breast recipe works with any combo of seasonings you prefer.
- Allow the chicken to come to room temp before coating in spices and baking. This will help the rub adhere, and help the chicken cook through more evenly. I let it sit out on the counter for about 30 minutes.
- Make sure the chicken breasts are completely coated in olive oil so the spices stick.
- Craving a little sweet and spicy combo? Swap the plain paprika with spicy paprika if you can find some! A dash of cayenne pepper will also do the trick. Oh, and smoked paprika also tastes fantastic in this versatile recipe.
- The total baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the individual chicken breasts. I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check them for doneness.
- Chicken breasts are done when the internal temp reaches 165℉ at the thickest point.
- Let the chicken breasts rest for 5 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
- My brown sugar rub works on any cut of chicken, so feel free to use it on baked chicken thighs too!
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Brown Sugar Seasoning Blend
When developing this baked chicken breast recipe, I wanted a simple seasoning blend that balanced sweet and savory flavors without overpowering the chicken. After testing a few combinations, I landed on a mix of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary. The brown sugar helps caramelize the surface of the chicken as it bakes, while the herbs and spices add depth and aroma. This all-purpose rub pairs beautifully with veggies, potatoes, or even a side of rice.
How to Bake Brown Sugar Chicken Step by Step
Mix the Seasoning Rub: Preheat your oven to 350℉. In a medium-sized bowl, add 1½ tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme, and 1 teaspoon of fresh rosemary. Mix well. This brown sugar rub can be made ahead of time and stored until ready to use.
Season the Chicken: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts to coat evenly. Rub chicken breasts with the seasoning blend, being sure to get both sides.
Bake the Chicken: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Add seasoned chicken breast to the sheet pan, and bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked through to an internal temperature of 165℉. For the juiciest chicken, give it 5-10 minutes to rest. Then slice brown sugar chicken breasts and enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
This healthy chicken breast recipe is ideal for meal prepping for the week, or for using in a variety of recipes from salads to soups. So be sure to store it properly so it’s ready to use.
- Store: Store leftover chicken breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freeze: Store in an airtight container or resealable, freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. I recommend wrapping each breast in wax paper before freezing for easy portioning, and to prevent freezer burn.
- Reheat: Reheat in a 350F oven, in a skillet, or in the microwave, until warmed through to 165F. If frozen, defrost in the fridge first for best results.
Leave a Reply