The best tips for juicy, baked chicken.
Baked chicken breast is a healthy, flexible option when it comes to meals, however when cooked improperly it can end up dry and bland. Luckily, we’ve got the know-how on how to bake chicken breast without drying it out!
Chicken breast often gets a bad rap for drying out when baked, mainly because it is low in fat. Compared to other chicken parts like thighs or drumsticks, which have more fat and connective tissue, chicken breast can easily become dry and tough if not cooked the right way. But don’t worry, there are some easy tricks to prevent this so you can enjoy juicy, tasty chicken breast every single time.
Choosing the Right Quality Chicken
The best place to start on your journey to climbing the moist meter is by choosing the right quality chicken. Cheap cuts and mass-produced, inorganic chicken may be more convenient but they’re pumped with steroids and antibiotics that affect not only the taste of the chicken but are slightly fattier than farm fresh.
When looking for chicken, try to find fresh, organic options. Organic chicken is often more tender and flavorful than frozen or conventional varieties. For convenience, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a good choice. But if you prefer, you can leave the skin on – the skin can help keep the meat moist during cooking and makes for a nice crisp.
Pictured above: Crispy “Un-Fried” Herb Chicken
Brining Your Chicken
One of the most efficient methods to avoiding dryness in baked chicken breasts is to brine them before cooking. Brining involves soaking the chicken in a water solution with salt, and sometimes sugar or other ingredients. This helps the chicken absorb moisture, resulting in juicier meat. To brine chicken breasts, simply dissolve salt and any other preferred seasonings in water. Submerge the chicken in the brine and refrigerate. But what’s the perfect amount of time to brine? Overnight is best although anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours will work.
Pictured above: “Melt in Your Mouth” Italian Baked Chicken
Seasoning is Key!
When learning how to bake chicken breasts, seasoning is crucial. It is required to bring out the best flavors in the chicken. Before cooking, make sure to season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you enjoy. A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried herbs like thyme or rosemary can add wonderful flavor.
Don’t be afraid to try different seasonings to find the ones that suit your personal tastes and spice tolerance. Herbs and spices such as ground cumin, turmeric (for a bit of color), dry mustard, fennel seeds, and even sage enhance the flavors of an otherwise dry cut of chicken.
Pictured above: Simple and Delicious Fajita Chicken Bake
How to Bake Chicken Breasts (Step by Step)
After you’ve soaked your chicken breasts in a brine and seasoned them accordingly, it’s time to get baking! Here is a simple, step by step guide on how to bake chicken breasts that are moist, flavorful, and healthy!
Pictured above: Parmesan Chicken and Veggie Bake
Preheat Your Oven
Let’s get started with some heat, preheat your oven to the ideal temperature before cooking the chicken. Most recipes suggest baking chicken breasts at around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C). Preheating ensures the chicken cooks evenly and helps keep the juices in, preventing it from drying out.
If you skip the preheating step, the chicken may end up cooking unevenly, with some parts undercooked and others overcooked. This can result in a less desirable texture and taste. Additionally, without preheating, the chicken may take longer to cook, increasing the risk of it drying out.
Grab a Baking Dish
When choosing which baking dish to use, it’s best to use a large one that’s big enough for a single layer of chicken breasts. The key is to not overcrowd the chicken. This will make sure it cooks evenly and prevents them from sticking to one another. A glass or ceramic baking dish works well. You can also use a metal baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Using a glass or ceramic baking dish provides even heat distribution, which can result in more consistent and evenly cooked chicken breasts. However, these types of dishes may take longer to heat up compared to metal baking sheets, and they can also be more fragile and prone to cracking or breaking if not handled carefully.
Check the Temperature
Accurate temperature readings are super important for food safety. Cooking chicken to the recommended internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) helps to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present, reducing the risk of food borne illnesses. It also ensures the chicken breast doesn’t overcook or dry out. By using a meat thermometer and sticking it into the thickest part of the breast, you can be sure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly and safe to eat. When the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F (75°C) inside, you’re good to go!
But what if you don’t have a meat thermometer? No sweat! While a thermometer is the most reliable way to check if chicken is done, it’s not the only way. You can always check the doneness of the chicken visually. Fully cooked chicken has clear juices and the meat shouldn’t have even a hint of pink in the center. To check this, make a small incision into the thickest part of the breast – clear juices and white meat means you’re all set!
Another way you can also check doneness is with touch. Using your fingers, firmly press the chicken; if it returns to its original shape and feels cooked through, it is likely done. Avoid overcooking it as this may cause it to become dry.
Don’t Skip the Resting Period
Finally, your chicken is cooked beautifully and the smell of perfectly seasoned baked chicken breast is wafting in the air – but wait! We can’t carve it up yet, once you’ve taken it out of the oven let it sit for a few minutes to rest. This ensures maximum juiciness by allowing the juices to circulate throughout the meat. This is another reason using a thermometer and avoiding having to cut into the chicken prematurely is recommended.
These liquids may leak out onto the cutting surface if you cut into the chicken right away after it has finished cooking. This leaves the chicken breast drier.
And if you slice the chicken too soon, it will have a harder texture because the muscle fibers will contract suddenly. The chicken becomes more delicate and better to eat when it is allowed to rest because it allows the fibers to relax.
Some Chicken Recipes to Help You Get Started
If you’re not sure where to start practicing your newly acquired skills, we’ve got you covered with some great baked chicken recipes:
- Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Katsu: Katsu is a Japanese dish, usually made with pork, however, this version uses chicken breasts instead. Crispy, tender, and delicious, try this recipe for a quick weeknight dinner!
- Best Ever Chicken and Rice Casserole: Nothing beats a comforting chicken casserole. This recipe is the perfect family friendly, weeknight meal!
- 3-Ingredient Spicy Baked Chicken Breasts: Weeknight dinners are all about quick and simple suppers (with minimal clean-up too!). This zesty little chicken number is soon to become one of your faves!
- Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Breasts: Same texture and less fat is the name of the game with this recipe. Pair it with some greens for a hearty meal and you’ve got a winner!
We did it! That’s how to bake chicken breast without drying it out, so go ahead and practice baking your now tender and moist chicken!
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