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juicy baked chicken breast on plate
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4.55 from 306 votes

Baked Brown Sugar Chicken Breast

This oven-baked chicken breast is tender, juicy, and flavorful with perfect caramelization thanks to just a hint of brown sugar in my special seasoning blend.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 361kcal
Author: Becky Hardin

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
    Combining ingredients for a brown sugar seasoning mixture in a bowl.
  • Drizzle olive oil over chicken breasts to coat evenly.
    2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    Raw chicken breasts coated in olive oil, lined up on a cutting board.
  • Add chicken breasts to the bowl with the spice mixture, and evenly coat the chicken breasts.
    A bowl of chicken breasts coated in a brown sugar seasoning mic.
  • Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
    Seasoned chicken breasts lined up on a baking tray.
  • 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℉.
    Seasoned chicken breasts on parchment with fresh herbs.
  • Slice chicken breasts and enjoy!
    Fork piercing a slice of baked chicken breast.

Video

Notes

*I developed this recipe using boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If using bone-in breasts, increase the baking time by 5-15 minutes (depending on size).
Becky's Top Tips:
  • 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!
Air Fryer Instructions: Cook in Air Fryer at 380℉ for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Storage: Store baked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freeze for 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 862mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 682IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg