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Baked Chicken Breast Recipe Easy Juicy Herb Crust for Dinner

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This easy baked chicken breast recipe features a golden, juicy herb crust with fresh parsley, thyme, rosemary, and garlic. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or impressing guests, it’s reliably tender and packed with comforting flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives or green onion (optional)
  • Drizzle of honey (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If uneven in thickness, gently pound to an even 3/4 inch.
  3. Place chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet or oven-safe dish. Rub each breast with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  4. In a small bowl, mix parsley, thyme, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, paprika, and Parmesan (if using) until combined. Add a splash of olive oil if mixture is too dry.
  5. Spoon or brush the herb crust over each chicken breast, pressing gently to adhere.
  6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F at the thickest part.
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  8. Slice against the grain and serve, garnishing with extra herbs if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for a crisp crust. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. Rest chicken before slicing to retain juices. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crunch. Recipe is forgiving—swap herbs or add Dijon mustard for variation. Leftovers taste even better and are great for salads or wraps.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, herb crust, easy chicken dinner, juicy chicken, weeknight meal, gluten-free, healthy chicken recipe, meal prep, comfort food

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/baked-chicken-breast-recipe-easy-juicy-herb-crust-for-dinner/