How to Bake Chicken Breast at 425 Recipe

Spatula grabbing a baked chicken breast from a dish.

5 from 5 votes

How to Bake Chicken Breast at 425 Recipe

Make the perfect juicy chicken breast every single time! The best way is to use a higher temperature and a tasty marinade. This an easy recipe for every occasion!

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Marinate30

Total Time1

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: baked chicken, chicken dinner, how to cook chicken

Servings: -6 servings

Author: Elena Davis

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Kosher Salt and black pepper to taste
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius). Grease a shallow baking dish with butter, or line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat it with butter- set aside.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). For marinade variations, see the blog post.
Place chicken in a large bowl and rub the olive oil and spice mixture all over the chicken breasts, coating them evenly. You can also place the chicken breasts in a plastic bag and massage the outside of the bag to coat the chicken. Let marinate for 30 minutes.
Remove chicken from plastic bags and place in a single layer on the prepared baking dish or baking sheet. Bake chicken breasts for 23-30 minutes for large breasts and 17-20 minutes for medium breasts until they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). You can check the temperature by inserting an thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast. See notes for more.
Remove the pan from the oven and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice and serve with any sides you choose or use to make a chicken salad or chicken wrap.

Notes

Chicken Breast Thickness Baking Time at 425°F

- 1/2 inch: 16-18 minutes

- 1 inch: 18-22 minutes

- 1 1/2 inch: 22-26 minutes

- 2 inches: 25-30 minutes

TOP TIPS

Use a meat thermometer: Invest in a reliable meat thermometer to ensure accurate cooking. It will help you determine the exact internal temperature of the chicken breasts and prevent overcooking.
Pound the chicken breasts: If your chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, pound them to an even thickness. This promotes even cooking and prevents some parts from drying out while others remain undercooked.
Rest the chicken before slicing: After baking, let the chicken breasts rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier and more tender meat.

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