Can we all agree that simple chicken dinners are the best? There’s nothing like the versatility and mouthwatering taste of thin-sliced chicken breasts that go with almost anything you already have in the refrigerator. When you can’t think of a weekday dinner to make, you bake frozen chicken breasts and turn them into a full 4-course meal like magic! Yet, they don’t always turn out the way you want them too.
Why? Well, it depends. When the stars don’t align, we can end up with dry, tough, rubbery, or tasteless chicken that even Superman couldn’t save. Luckily for you, we have the best way to bake chicken breasts that will guarantee a juicy, flavorful, moist, and tender result. Customize with your favorite sauces, side dishes, drinks and you’ve got a delicious meal that not even Chef Ramsey can say no too! So, lets begin!
The Absolute Best Way to Bake Chicken Breasts
This tried and true 5 steps simple recipe will make you the queen or king of baking chicken breasts. Get ready to say goodbye to overcooked chicken dinners and hello to complete satisfaction. Before we begin, we highly recommend you use a thermometer to ensure the right cooking temperature. The last thing you need is undercooked or overcooked chicken.
- Ingredients
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- 4 brined boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded in to even thickness
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- 1 teaspoon of salt
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- 1 tablespoon of oil or melted butter
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- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
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- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
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- ½ teaspoon of paprika
- Preparation
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- Phase 1 – Before we do anything else, we must brine the chicken first. It is a very simple process and will make your chicken juicy and tender! To do so, fill a large bowl with 1 quart of warm water and ¼ cup of salt. Stir until all salt is absorbed and add chicken to let sit for 15 minutes. An alternative method involves covering the bowl and leaving it in the refrigerator for 6 up to six hours. Once the 6 hours are up, you can remove the chicken, rinse with cold water, and pat dry. A third option is to simply buy the chicken that is already brined in water and skip this step completely.
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- Phase 2 – Preheat your oven to 450 F.
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- Phase 3 – While the oven preheats, place thin-sliced chicken breasts in a large baking pan and brush melted butter or oil on both sides. Melted butter adds incredible flavor and light crispness. In a separate small bowl, combine the garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and sprinkle on both sides. For seasonings, you can get creative with your favorites.
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- Phase 4 – Now it’s time to bake! Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until no longer pink. Since cook time depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts, using a thermometer will guarantee that you know when it is fully cooked. The thickest part of the chicken should be 165 F. For crispier or browner chicken breasts, you can use the broiler for 3 – 5 minutes during the end of cooking time. You’ll want to monitor it closely to avoid overcooking or burning the chicken.
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- Phase 5 – When you know the chicken is done, take it out of the oven and transfer it from the pan to a plate and loosely cover with foil to let rest for up to 10 minutes. This is a step that you can’t overlook. If you cut into the chicken too early, you will lose all of the tasty juices inside and we want to keep them sealed and locked away for now. By allowing the chicken to rest, it will continue to cook and tenderize.
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- Phase 6 – Now, serve and enjoy or freeze for up to 3 months. These make great leftovers!
How to Bake Chicken Breasts in Foil
Another way to fast, juicy, and tender thin sliced chicken breasts is to bake them in foil. Using this cooking method gives you the opportunity to coat your chicken in crumbs for crispiness, smother them with a favorite sauce, or marinate them with your favorite seasonings. It locks in the juices and elevates the flavor while minimizing dishes! There are a few more steps but we promise it’s worth the extra effort. Use the same ingredients but this time, bring foil, your thermometer, and your preferred vegetables to cook with the chicken.
- Preparation
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- Phase 1 – Don’t forget to brine the chicken before we begin! We want the chicken to be as tender and juicy as possible. So, hold nothing back when brining your chicken in preferred marinades, seasonings, or saltwater.
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- Phase 2 -Set the oven to 350 F and tear off a sheet of foil big enough to cover each thin – sliced chicken breast 2 times. This will give you enough room to add vegetables. Spray each piece of foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking. If you’re looking for a crispier crust, roll the chicken in crumbs or whole wheat flour before adding it to foil.
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- Phase 3 – Rub the chicken with oil or butter and season your chicken to your liking. Another way to season your chicken is to dip it in a marinade or another preferred sauce sealing all ingredients carefully inside the foil.
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- Phase 4 – Before baking the chicken, add optionally prepared and sliced vegetables like potatoes, carrots, shallots, and zucchini. Other vegetables that don’t require slicing and work well cooked with chicken include asparagus, snow peas, or yard long beans.
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- Phase 5 – With all the preferred ingredients in each foil packet, close the sides carefully slightly above the food and fold the two layers of foil down. Next, fold and crimp both ends of the foil and seal.
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- Phase 6 – Now, place all foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remember to check the internal temperature and thickest parts of the chicken for doneness which should read 165 F.
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- Phase 7 – If chicken is not done, rewrap and keep them in the oven to finish cooking. When they are done, discard the foil and let them rest. Serve and enjoy!
This quick and easy way of making chicken dinners will keep splatters and dishes away while satisfying everyone’s hunger! With so many options available, you can get creative with your foil packets by adding BBQ sauce, Teriyaki sauce, peanut butter, or Asian mixed vegetables. Stir fry vegetables also work well in foil packets and you won’t have to lift a skillet. Foil packets are a great way for busy parents to make a filling and healthy meal for their families.
Make Your Reservations Today
We love chicken just as much as you do and our commitment to creating memorable experiences and good food has been recognized in the Eater Magazine and Miami Herald.
That’s why we offer so many options on our menu for you to choose from for those days you don’t feel like cooking. From our famous hot pots to our best selling skewers, you will always find an option for thin-sliced chicken breasts. If you’re not in the mood for chicken, we have a wide variety of offerings from lamb to beef and everything in between.
We know Asian Fusion and invite you to make your reservations at the best Asian Fusion restaurant in Miami today!
