How to bake chicken and keep it moist

This recipe is the simplest way to bake chicken breast for the most juicy chicken every time! The trick is to bake your chicken breasts at 425 degrees. High heat is key!

Table of Contents Show

Ingredients
Easy Chicken Marinades & Seasonings
Temperature Chicken Is Done
Tips for Baking Juicy Chicken Breast
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to Serve With Baked Chicken Breast
More Chicken Recipes on Tastefully Grace!
How to Bake Juicy Chicken Breast
How do you keep chicken from drying out in the oven?
How do you keep chicken moist and juicy?
How do you add moisture to baked chicken?
Is it better to Bake chicken at 350 or 400?

Whether you’re making Chicken With Sun-Dried Tomato Shallot Cream or The Best Ever Caesar Salad or something else, choose any marinade or seasoning for the flavor you want. Check out all the easy marinades and seasonings below! Then bake your chicken at 425 F degrees, every time! You won’t ever be disappointed.

Ingredients

Chicken breasts – you can use any size chicken breast for this recipe but try to buy pieces that are similar sizes so they are done baking at the same time.
Seasoning or marinade – you can use any seasoning or marinade you want. See below for easy chicken and marinade ideas! When in doubt, I use a blend of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, since I always have them and they always yield a delicious result!

Easy Chicken Marinades & Seasonings

Balsamic & extra virgin olive oil – my go-to marinade! Mix together equal parts balsamic and olive oil (1/2 tablespoon each). Great for most every recipe.
Lemon juice & extra virgin olive oil – great for salads and Italian recipes. Mix together equal parts lemon and olive oil (1/2 tablespoon each).
Teriyaki – great for Asian recipes and stir-fries. Use 1 tablespoon store-bought teriyaki sauce.
Chili lime – great for Mexican or Southwest recipes. Use about 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 juiced lime, and a ½ tablespoon olive oil.
Southwest, Mexican, or Italian herb seasoning blend – store-bought seasonings are awesome, allowing you to easily flavor your chicken for any occasion! Mix about 1 teaspoon of the blend with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Make your own!

It takes 17-21 minutes. See recipe for marinade ideas, details, tips and tricks!

Temperature Chicken Is Done

What temperature is chicken done? Simple! The thickest part of your chicken breast should register at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit!

Use a thermometer to test the middle of the thickest part of your chicken breast for the most accurate results.

Tips for Baking Juicy Chicken Breast

Use a thermometer to test your chicken and make sure it is not underdone or overdone. Your chicken should register 165 F degrees for food safety but shouldn’t be more than 175 F degrees for the juiciest result.
Buy chicken breasts that are similar sizes so they will be done baking at the same time!
Let your chicken rest after cooking for 5 minutes out of the oven before slicing so the chicken retains its juices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I marinate chicken breasts?

My favorite trick is to mix together your marinade, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place a gallon Ziploc bag inside another gallon Ziploc bag. Add chicken to double bag along with marinade. Wash hands, seal bags, and massage chicken with marinade. You can immediately bake your chicken or let it marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours!

What do I marinate chicken breasts in?

You can marinate your chicken breasts in anything you want! Ideas for easy marinades and rubs are listed above. You can simply season your chicken with salt and pepper and bake if you don’t want to marinate your chicken!

How long to marinate chicken?

You can marinate chicken for 1 minute, 2 hours, or 24 hours! The choice is yours! Typically, the longer you marinate your chicken, the more the chicken absorbs the flavor of your marinade.

How do you keep chicken breasts moist?

Bake your chicken at high heat (425 F degrees), and let it rest for 5 minutes after baking and before slicing.

How to keep chicken warm in the oven?

If you aren’t ready to eat, keep chicken warm in the oven in a sealed foil package at 170 degrees for up to an hour.

Why is my chicken breast dry and tough?

Your chicken is likely overcooked or you didn’t let it rest for 5 minutes after baking and before slicing. Make sure to test your chicken with a thermometer so you don’t overcook your chicken…and let it rest out of the oven!

How long should chicken rest?

Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking and before slicing, so the chicken retains its juices.

How to slice chicken breast?

Use a serrated knife to slice chicken against the grain (against the natural lines in the chicken breast). If you are cubing it, slice your chicken and then cut the slices in half. See the video below for step-by-step instructions!

What to Serve With Baked Chicken Breast

The options are endless! A few of my favorite side dishes are Dijon Cider Coleslaw, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Whole Roasted Brown Butter Cauliflower, Creamless Creamed Corn and No-Mayo Potato Salad.

More Chicken Recipes on Tastefully Grace!

Dad’s Chicken Saltimbocca
Lemon-Mustard Spatchcock Chicken
Mediterranean Braised Chicken Thighs
Pesto Chicken Cutlet Sub Sandwiches
Classic Chicken Parmesan

How to Bake Juicy Chicken Breast

This recipe is the simplest way to bake chicken breast for the most juicy chicken every time! The trick is to bake your chicken breasts at 425 degrees.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Keyword: any season, baked, chicken, oven

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 211kcal

1 ½ pounds chicken breast
Salt and pepper

Marinade or Seasoning of Choice (See Ideas Above!)

½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or other marinade)
½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (or other marinade)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix together your marinade, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Place a gallon Ziploc bag inside another gallon Ziploc bag. Add chicken to double bag along with marinade. Wash hands, seal bags, and massage chicken with marinade. You can also toss your chicken in the marinade directly on a baking sheet if you don’t have plastic bags.
Remove chicken from your plastic bags and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Line baking sheet with foil for less cleanup!
Place chicken in the oven for 17-21 minutes, depending on the size of your breasts. Use a thermometer to test chicken in the thickest part. It should register at least 165 degrees when cooked.
Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or cubing.

You can immediately bake your chicken or let it marinate in the fridge for up to 24 hours!

How do you keep chicken from drying out in the oven?

To start, brine your chicken in a mixture of water and a few tablespoons of salt for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will boost the natural flavor and moisture of the chicken breasts and will leave you with a super tender piece of meat. This is the one step that will really ensure your chicken won't be dry or tough.

How do you keep chicken moist and juicy?

Basting helps chicken stay moist and distributes the juices equally during the process. If you are grilling or baking, take the chicken out in every 20-30 minutes to pour the oil or butter over it.

How do you add moisture to baked chicken?

Chicken stock or broth is the best liquid to impart flavor and moisture back into dry chicken. Warm your broth over a medium heat until it is hot but not boiling. Place your shredded chicken in the pan until it is barely covered with enough broth to coat the chicken.

Is it better to Bake chicken at 350 or 400?

The reason why baking chicken breast at 400 F is better than 350 F is that cooking them at a high temperature will require fewer minutes and will garner more color.