Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts with Herb Butter
In short: Chicken breasts soaked briefly in salt water, rubbed with garlic herb butter and baked at high heat until moist and golden. A basic worth knowing. It takes about 32 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 22 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 32 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Baked chicken breast has a reputation for being dry, but a few small habits fix that. A quick 15-minute salt-water soak seasons the meat and helps it hold moisture. Even thickness makes the pieces cook at the same speed, and a soft herb butter bastes them as they bake. A thermometer takes the guesswork out. Slice the chicken for salads and sandwiches, or serve it whole with vegetables.
Instructions
- Place each breast between sheets of baking paper and pound the thick end gently until the whole piece is an even 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick.
- Stir the salt into the cold water until dissolved. Add the chicken and soak for 15 minutes, then lift it out and pat very dry.
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Mash the butter with the garlic, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, pepper and paprika.
- Lightly oil a baking dish and add the breasts in one layer. Rub the olive oil over the chicken, then spread the herb butter on top.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a thermometer in the thickest part reads 74°C (165°F).
- Rest the chicken for 5 minutes. Spoon the melted butter from the dish over the top and slice across the grain.
Tips
- Do not skip the thermometer. Chicken breast goes from juicy to dry in a few degrees. Pull it as soon as it reads 74°C (165°F), since it rises a degree or two while resting.
- Cook a batch for the week. Slice or shred the cooled chicken and refrigerate it for up to 4 days for salads, wraps and pasta.
Questions and answers
How long do I bake chicken breasts at 220°C?
Breasts 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick take 18 to 22 minutes. Thicker ones can need up to 30. Always check the center with a thermometer.
Can I bake frozen chicken breasts?
Thawing first is safer and gives a better texture. If you must, bake from frozen at 190°C (375°F) for 45 to 55 minutes, until the center reads 74°C (165°F).
How do I store baked chicken breasts?
Cool within 2 hours, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
How long does it take to make Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts with Herb Butter?
About 32 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 22 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts with Herb Butter?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 44 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 44 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
