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    Home > Recipes > Poultry

    Simply Perfect Roast Chicken Breasts

    Published: Apr 23, 2019 · Modified: Oct 23, 2020 by Whitney Reist · This post may contain affiliate links |

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Are you looking for a delicious, foolproof, and easy way to make chicken? My method for roasting chicken breasts in the oven gives you the juiciest, most flavor-filled chicken that's perfect for adding to your favorite lunches and dinners!

    A roasted chicken breast being sliced on a cutting board on a white marble counter top.
    Jump to:
    • Instructions
    • Similar recipes
    • Serve with
    • Recipe

    Everyone is on the hunt for "the best" easy recipes - myself included! Do you happen to know what the most searched "best easy recipe" is? Chicken! Why is that NOT a surprise? Haha. Just about everyone eats chicken because it's familiar, easily-accessible, and fairly affordable. And if cooked correctly, can taste really delicious!

    I've tried my fair share of "best easy chicken" recipes - ranging from grilled chicken, to baked chicken, slow cooker chicken, and Instant Pot chicken. They all have their pros and cons, but one method for chicken stands way above the rest in my opinion - and that's ROAST chicken! It's likely due to influence from Ina Garten and my love for picking up rotisserie chickens from my favorite grocery store. Ina makes such a good roast chicken that she has a version called "engagement chicken" - apparently it's so good it will get you a proposal!

    My Simply Perfect Roast Chicken uses only bone-in chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken - so you can serve it straight from pan to plate and not worry about having to carve it in front of anyone. Keep reading to see how I make it!

    Instructions

    • Choose bone-in chicken breasts - roasting chicken on the bone yields the best rich flavor and texture to cooked chicken. It also helps keep it from drying out! I look for split, bone-in chicken breasts when I shop and then stock up to freeze them if they are on sale. This is, hand-down, my favorite cut of chicken.
    • A quick brine yields maximum flavor - I know, you read the word "brine" and think "wait a minute, she said this was going to be easy?" All you need to do here is soak your chicken in salt water for just 30 minutes (and up to a day) - no big deal! But trust me, this simple step will help your roast chicken be super flavorful throughout the meat and extra juicy!
    Chicken breasts brining in a tupperware with salt water solution.
    • Baste then season - to get a nice and even golden brown color all over your chicken breast, I like to use a marinade brush to evenly coat the chicken in a mixture of butter and olive oil. You want to cover every nook and cranny! Next, you will liberally sprinkle your favorite seasoning all over the chicken breast. Here are a few of my favorite seasoning combinations:
      • Simple: Coarse ground Kosher salt and coarse ground pepper (1:1 ratio)
      • Mexican: 1 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon cumin + 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder + ½ teaspoon oregano
      • Italian: 1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon pepper + 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
      • Favorite pre-blended seasonings: Trader Joe's Chile Lime, Cavender's Greek Seasoning Blend, Japanese togarashi
    Seasoned chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet.
    • Roast at high temperatures - roasting the chicken at 450 degrees ensures that the skin will get crisp and golden brown while the inside remains tender and juicy. I like to roast mine in a preheated cast iron skillet so it gets nice and crisp all over.
    • Use a thermometer to check for doneness - the best way to prevent overcooking your chicken is to set a timer during the cooking and then take the temperature as soon as the minumum cooking time is complete. Continue to cook the chicken for 4-5 minute increments until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165 degrees F.
    Cooked roast chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet.

    Similar recipes

    • Bell Pepper Nachos
    • Strawberry Pretzel Chicken Wraps
    • Oven-Fried Pretzel Chicken Tenders
    • Healthy Turkey and Poblano Enchiladas

    Serve with

    • Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    • Greek Chicken Crunchwraps
    • Lightened Up Curried Chicken Salad
    • Lemony Chicken Orzo Soup
    • Fresh Pesto for the sauce and Lemon Risotto for the side
    • Serve with Simple Spring Salad and Sesame Sweet Potatoes
    • Simple Kale Salad
    • Anything But Basic Roasted Potatoes
    • Greek-Style Roasted Zucchini with Feta
    A roasted chicken breast being sliced on a cutting board on a white marble counter top.

    Are you ready to try this Simply Perfect Roast Chicken? I’m so excited for you to try this recipe. Once you get the chance to make it, please let me know how it turns out for you! Leave a comment and rate the recipe below. This will help me with the creation of future recipes!

    I’d also love to feature your creation in my weekly newsletter, so you can upload a photo to Instagram with the tag @sweetcayenne5 to be featured! Quick and easy recipe videos are available on my YouTube channel, and lots of menu inspiration on my Pinterest boards.

    Recipe

    A roasted chicken breast being sliced on a cutting board on a white marble counter top.

    Simply Perfect Roast Chicken Breasts

    Looking for a delicious, foolproof, and easy way to make chicken? My method for roasting chicken breasts in the oven gives you the juiciest, most flavor-filled chicken that's perfect for adding to your favorite lunches and dinners!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcayenne5 or tag #sweetcayenne!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Brining time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    For the brine:

    • 4 cups cold water
    • ¼ cup Kosher salt

    For the chicken:

    • 2 whole bone-in chicken breasts, skin on (about 1-1 ½ pounds total)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter, melted and cooled
    • 1 teaspoon coarse ground Kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine the water and salt in a container with a lid. Place the chicken in the water and let soak for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
    • Preheat oven to 450℉. Place a 10-12’’ cast iron skillet in the oven while it heats.
    • Remove the chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the butter and olive oil in a small bowl. Brush the mixture onto all sides of the chicken. Wash your hands, and then sprinkle the salt and pepper evenly onto all sides.
    • Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Use tongs to place the chicken breasts in the skillet, skin side UP. Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes, then insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉. Continue roasting in 5 minute increments until it reaches 165℉.
    • Remove from oven and serve hot. Or let cool before slicing for storage in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 127kcal | Protein: 8.7g | Fat: 10.1g | Saturated Fat: 3.5g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 1mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Pin this, pretty please!

    A roasted chicken breast being sliced on a cutting board on a white marble counter top.
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    Many of the links in my posts are affiliate links, which means I can get a small commission for any click or purchases made through the links. I am also an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases.

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