Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
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on Nov 01, 2020, Updated Apr 14, 2025
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This Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe is our spicy, tangy family favorite! Bake a batch on your meal prep day and enjoy juicy, flavorful chicken all week long. With minimal prep and pantry staples, this dish is a total weeknight win.
Table of Contents
What are Oven Baked Chicken Breasts?
Oven Baked Chicken Breasts are a healthy, lean protein option that are roasted in the oven until tender and juicy. Unlike the dry, bland chicken you might expect, this recipe is bursting with flavor thanks to a zesty mustard-balsamic marinade that comes together in minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & easy prep. Just whisk, pour, and bake—your oven does the hard work.
Pantry-friendly ingredients. Everything in the sauce is likely already in your kitchen.
Great for meal prep. Cook once and enjoy all week in salads, wraps, or bowls.
Customizable heat. Use chili powder for mild spice or red pepper flakes for a bolder kick.
Juicy and flavorful. No more dry, boring chicken breasts!
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this oven baked chicken breast recipe:
- Chicken breasts: I usually go with boneless, skinless. This recipe also works well with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer—they’re often thinner and cook a bit faster than breasts, usually around 18 to 20 minutes. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
- Spicy brown mustard: Adds zip and depth.
- Balsamic vinegar: Tangy and slightly sweet for balance.
- Brown sugar: Just a touch to mellow the spice.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for maximum flavor.
- Chili powder or red pepper flakes: Choose your spice level!
The complete list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. This high heat locks in moisture and gives a beautiful finish.
Step 2: Season the chicken. Lightly sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Make the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and chili powder or red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Marinate. Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts and toss to coat evenly.
Step 5: Bake. Place the chicken in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for about 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Check every 5 minutes after that if needed.
Step 6: Rest. Remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Serving & Topping Suggestions
- Add it to Grilled Veggie Burrito Bowls for extra protein, or swap it in for the turkey in these Turkey Burrito Bowls.
- Slice it over your favorite salad, like this Beet, Avocado, and Chicken Salad or a Chipotle Chicken Salad.
- Dice it and stuff it into crispy chicken tacos or crispy chicken flautas for a satisfying crunch and flavor-packed bite.
Oven Baked Chicken Breasts Expert Tips & Tricks
Double the batch if you want leftovers for lunches all week!
Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Let it rest! This helps the juices redistribute so the chicken stays moist.
Slice against the grain for the most tender bite.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It can be sliced or shredded and used cold or reheated for another meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both work, but 400°F is my go-to for juicy oven baked chicken. The higher heat locks in moisture and gives you that golden, slightly caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender.
Boneless chicken breasts typically take about 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F, depending on their size and thickness. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
At 350°F, chicken breasts will take 25 to 30 minutes or more to cook through. It’s a slower bake, which can help with even cooking but may not give you the same roasted flavor or browning.
For this recipe, bake your chicken uncovered so the sauce can roast and slightly caramelize. Covering it will steam the chicken instead of giving you that bold roasted flavor.
More Recipes
If you tried this Oven Baked Chicken Breast recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Oven Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ pounds chicken breasts
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Lightly salt and pepper the chicken breasts.
- Whisk olive oil, mustard, balsamic vinegar, sugar, garlic, and chili in a bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss to combine.
- Place the chicken in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Roast until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 20 minutes. If they are not ready, continue roasting and checking the temperature every 5 minutes.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven, cover with aluminum foil, and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes.
Notes
- You can store it sliced or shredded in the fridge for easy salads and lunch wraps for the entire week.
- Line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup!
- This recipe also works well with boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer—they’re often thinner and cook a bit faster than breasts, usually around 18 to 20 minutes. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography: Jenna Sparks
How long should the chicken marinate?
You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat.
How might this recipe be made successfully in an Air Frier?
Awesome, you made it exceptionally well. Chicken breasts are my all time favorite. looking forward to make this at home.