How long to bake boneless chicken breast

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Overview

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a 4-ounce chicken breast should be roasted at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Cooking can be dangerous (especially if you’re a fan of flambé!). While the risks are relatively low when you’re creating a meal in your kitchen, baking chicken or cooking any poultry always comes with the potential for foodborne illness.

Fortunately, knowing how to properly prepare chicken can keep you safe and well-fed.

Salmonella is a foodborne bacteria that’s responsible for 1.2 million cases of illness and 450 deaths each year.

Salmonella is largely found in raw poultry. When poultry is cooked properly it’s safe, but if it’s undercooked or handled improperly while raw, it can lead to trouble.

All poultry in the United States is inspected for signs of disease, but this doesn’t mean it’s free of bacteria. As a matter of fact, it’s not unusual at all for raw poultry to contain many different types of bacteria.

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The USDA has provided this guide for how to roast, simmer, and grill chicken:

This guide can help you estimate how long to cook your chicken, but because ovens have slight heat differences and chicken breasts may be larger or smaller than the average, it’s important that you double-check the internal temperature of the meat.

In order to destroy any possible contagions in your poultry, you must bring the internal temperature of the meat to 165°F (74˚C).

You can check whether you’ve achieved 165°F (74˚C) by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. In this case, close is not good enough, so make sure you put it back in the oven if it hasn’t reached this threshold.

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Don’t rely on how your chicken breast looks to determine if it’s ready. Pink meat doesn’t necessarily mean it’s undercooked. Similarly, white meat doesn’t necessarily mean all bacteria has been killed.

Be cautious about cross-contamination if you’re cutting into your chicken to check its appearance. When raw poultry comes in contact with work surfaces, knives, and even your hands, it can leave behind bacteria.

These bacteria can be transferred from surface to surface and end up in your salad, on your fork, and ultimately in your mouth.

Wash and thoroughly disinfect surfaces that come into contact with raw poultry. Use paper towels so they can be thrown away after picking up possible contaminants.

Preparation and storage are also important. The USDA suggests you always thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, microwave, or a sealed bag submerged in cold water.

Chicken should always be cooked immediately after thawing. Bacteria is more likely to grow on raw meat that’s between 40˚F (4˚C) and 140˚F (60˚ C).

Cooked chicken breasts should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking. Your leftovers should remain safe for two to three days.

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So, now that you know how to safely handle chicken breasts, what should you do with them?

Chicken breasts are extremely versatile, and your options for how to prepare them are nearly endless. For starters, you can chop them into salads, use them in sandwiches, or cook them on the grill.

For a healthy take on a classic, try this oven-fried chicken breast recipe or these flavorful herb-roasted chicken breasts.

Don’t be intimidated by cooking chicken. When you know the best handling practices, chicken breast is a lean protein that’s both tasty and safe.

The best Baked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe! Learn how to bake chicken breasts so they stay juicy and delicious. Easy to make!

How long to bake boneless chicken breast

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It’s no secret we love chicken (like our shredded crockpot chicken and whole roasted chicken), but this baked boneless chicken recipe may be our new favorite because of how easy and versatile it is!

This recipe is such a super easy way to prep your protein for your weekly meal prep or just a healthy part of your balanced dinner!

How long to bake boneless chicken breast

This is the best way to get the most delicious boneless chicken breast and we can’t wait for you to try it!

Why We Love Baked Boneless Chicken Breast

There is a lot to love about this baked chicken recipe. It’s one of our favorite proteins for a healthy dinner because it’s:

  • Easy to make – All this recipe takes for the best chicken is to rub them with oil and spices, then cook! So simple!
  • Versatile – You can use whatever spices you like on the chicken breasts in this recipe. We also have a Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade that is delicious!
  • Great for meal prep – These chicken breasts are such a healthy addition to your weekly meal prep because they are so versatile and reheat very well!

Ingredients for Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

To make this boneless baked chicken breast you’ll need:

  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • olive oil
  • paprika, dried basil, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper

You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded substitutions box. 

How long to bake boneless chicken breast

How to Prepare Chicken Breast before Cooking

  1. Clean excess fat off of chicken breasts using kitchen scissors.
  2. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken until it reaches about 1 inch thickness. You can wrap the chicken in saran wrap or use a large ziploc bag to keep your kitchen clean.

Make Baked Easy Chicken Breast

  1. Preheat oven to 425° and place chicken breast on parchment lined sheet pan.
  2. Rub chicken breasts with oil and cover with the spice mixture.
  3. Bake for 15 minutes and ENJOY!
How long to bake boneless chicken breast
How long to bake boneless chicken breast

How long to bake Boneless Chicken Breast:

Bake chicken breasts at 425° for 12-15 minutes.

What is the temperature for cooked chicken breast? Chicken breast is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°.

How do you know when baked chicken breast (boneless) is done? Baked chicken breast is done when it is browned on the outside and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. The best way to test if chicken is cooked is to use an internal meat thermometer. This is a great thing to have in your kitchen and it’s less than $10.

Oven Baked Chicken Breast FAQ 

How long does it take for boneless skinless chicken breast to bake?

It takes anywhere from 10-18 minutes to bake chicken breasts. Depending on the temperature of your oven and the thickness of the chicken breasts your cook time might vary

Is it better to bake chicken at 350° or 400°?

It’s best to bake chicken at a higher temperature. We like to bake our chicken at 425° for 15 minutes. It is nice and browned while still being juicy and delicious!

What temperature should I bake boneless chicken breasts at?

Bake chicken breasts at 425° for 12-15 minutes until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°.

How long does it take to bake a boneless chicken breast at 400°?

Baking times for chicken breast will vary depending on the thickness of the breasts. Typically a chicken breast will bake for 20 minutes at 400°.

How do I bake chicken breast without it drying out?

They key to baking chicken breasts without drying them is to pound them thinly, cover them with oil, and don’t overcook them. Only cook until they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR BONELESS CHICKEN RECIPE

Chicken Breasts: We haven’t tried this recipe with boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders, but I think it would work great. You might need a little less time depending on the cut of the chicken. Chicken breasts with the bone on will take longer to cook.

Olive Oil: You can substitute avocado oil or melted butter.

Spices: Any spices will work in this recipe. Feel free to substitute whatever seasonings you like!

Grilled Chicken: We love our Pineapple Grilled Chicken and Grilled Teriyaki Chicken recipes!

WW Points: Will vary depending on the plan you follow. The points for this recipe were from the oil.

Storing and Reheating Baked Boneless Chicken Breast

How long will baked boneless chicken breast last in the fridge? Boneless chicken breasts will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze easy oven baked boneless chicken breast? We don’t recommend freezing baked chicken breasts. They can get a little bit rubbery when defrosted. It’s best to eat these after you cook them. There will be nothing wrong with the chicken if you freeze it, but it just might not have the best texture.

Best way to reheat Boneless Chicken Breast: The best way to reheat boneless chicken breast is to use the toaster oven or regular oven. Microwaving chicken breasts can cause them to get chewy/bouncy. You can also slice it and heat it in a pan on the stove.

How long to bake boneless chicken breast

What to Serve with Baked Skinless Chicken Breast

This Chicken Breast goes well with pretty much anything! Here are some of our favorite side dishes:

  • Green Beans Almondine
  • Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Healthy Mac and Cheese
  • Sheet Pan Crispy Roasted Potatoes
  • Balsamic Mushrooms
  • Honey Thyme Garlic Carrots
  • Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
  • Crispy Smashed Potatoes
  • Kale Quinoa Salad
  • Mashed Potatoes

How long to bake boneless chicken breast

The best Baked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipe! Learn how to bake chicken breasts so they stay juicy and delicious. Easy to make!

Prep Time : 10 minutes

Cook Time : 15 minutes

Serves : 2 people

(hover over # to adjust)

  • Preheat the oven to 425 and prepare a parchment lined baking sheet.

  • Clean excess fat off of chicken breasts using kitchen scissors.

  • Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken until it reaches about 1 inch thickness. You can wrap the chicken in saran wrap or use a large ziploc bag to keep your kitchen clean.

  • Place chicken breasts on parchment paper.

  • In a small bowl mix together spices.

  • Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil. Cover the chicken breasts with spices.

  • Bake at 425 for 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165.

Nutrition Facts

Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

Amount Per Serving (6 oz cooked chicken)

Calories 320 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 145mg48%

Sodium 455mg20%

Potassium 839mg24%

Protein 48g96%

Vitamin A 68IU1%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 12mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?

You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

How long does it take to bake boneless chicken breasts at 350?

Cooking tips chicken breast at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C).

How long does it take to bake a boneless chicken breast at 400?

A medium size chicken breast (5 to 6 ounces each), takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes to bake in a 400 degree oven. I always bake chicken breasts at 400 degrees Fahrenheit as the high temperature helps seal in the juices (and the flavor).

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 425?

You can roast a chicken at almost any temperature. It all depends on what you are looking for. For extremely tender, fall off the bone meat and soft skin, roast between 300 and 350 degrees. For firmer meat and crisp skin, roast the chicken around 425 degrees F.