Description
A foolproof recipe for juicy, flavorful oven-baked chicken breasts topped with a rich herb butter infused with garlic, thyme, rosemary, and lemon zest. This method ensures tender meat every time, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If breasts are unevenly thick, pound them gently to an even thickness.
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined into a fragrant paste.
- Place chicken breasts in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and rub all over. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Spread the herb butter generously over the top of each chicken breast, covering the entire surface.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. For extra moisture, cover with foil for the first 15 minutes, then remove foil to brown the top for the remaining time. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for best mixing. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; 165°F is the target temperature. Pounding chicken to even thickness ensures uniform cooking. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken breast, herb butter, oven baked chicken, juicy chicken, weeknight dinner, easy chicken recipe, garlic butter chicken, lemon herb chicken