Juicy Sunday Dinner Chicken Breast Ideas: Easy Baked Recipe

Are you tired of serving dry, lackluster chicken breasts for Sunday dinner? Do you dream of a simple recipe that guarantees juicy, flavorful results every single time? Look no further! This easy baked chicken breast recipe is the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemmas. I’m going to show you how to create incredibly moist and delicious Sunday Dinner Chicken Breast Ideas that your whole family will love. Get ready to bake the best chicken breasts you’ve ever tasted!

Why You’ll Love This Dinner Chicken Breast  Recipe

This recipe stands out because it uses a simple brining trick to ensure your chicken breasts are incredibly juicy and flavorful. The secret is in the brine!

Juicier, More Flavorful Chicken: Brining the chicken breasts before baking helps them retain moisture and enhances the flavor throughout.

Easy to Prepare: With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly baked chicken breasts on the table in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for Sunday Dinner: This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, making it ideal for a family-friendly Sunday dinner.

Meal-Prep Friendly: Cooked chicken breasts can be stored in the fridge and used in salads, sandwiches, or other dishes throughout the week.

Ingredients Needed

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1.75-2lb.)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1.5 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 Tbsp olive oil

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Chicken Breast Selection: Choose chicken breasts that are similar in size and thickness for even cooking. High-quality, air-chilled chicken breasts will generally yield the best results.

Italian Seasoning: If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can make your own blend using dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.

Salt Options: I prefer fine sea salt for this recipe, but kosher salt will also work. Keep in mind that kosher salt crystals are larger, so you may need to adjust the quantity slightly.

Olive Oil Alternatives: If you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point, avocado oil is a great substitute for olive oil.

Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free.

How to Make Sunday Dinner Chicken Breast Ideas

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Preheating is essential for even cooking and helps the chicken develop a nice crust.

Step 2: Pound the Chicken Breasts

Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer to gently pound the thicker side of the chicken breast until the entire breast is an even thickness (about 1/2 inch thick). Pounding ensures even cooking and prevents the edges from drying out before the center is cooked through. The chicken should feel more pliable and uniform after pounding.

Step 3: Make the Seasoning Paste

In a small bowl, mix the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper together until well combined. Now, add the olive oil to the seasoning and mix well. You should have a thick paste. The aroma of the spices blending together is wonderful!

Step 4: Season the Chicken

Spread and rub the seasoning paste on both sides of the chicken breasts until they are evenly coated. Make sure every part of the chicken is covered for maximum flavor.

Step 5: Bake

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish or on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. I find that my chicken breasts are usually done right at 18 minutes. A meat thermometer is your best friend here – insert it into the thickest part of the breast to ensure it reaches the target temperature.

Step 6: Rest

Remove the chicken breasts from the oven, take them out of the baking dish or off of the sheet pan, and rest them on a plate or a clean cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to settle and redistribute throughout the breast, keeping them tender and juicy!

Step 7: Serve

Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy your perfectly baked chicken breasts!

Brining for Extra Juicy Chicken

While the recipe above assumes the chicken is ready to go, I highly recommend brining your chicken breasts for maximum juiciness. Here’s how:

What is Brining? Brining is the process of soaking meat in a saltwater solution to enhance its moisture and flavor.

How to Make a Simple Brine: Combine 4 cups of cold water with 1/4 cup of fine sea salt. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. For extra flavor, you can add herbs like thyme or rosemary, or a clove of garlic.

Brining Time: Submerge the chicken breasts in the brine and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Don’t brine for longer than 1 hour, as the chicken can become too salty.

Why Does Brining Work? Brining works through osmosis. The saltwater solution is drawn into the chicken cells, and the salt denatures the proteins, allowing them to trap more water. This results in a juicier, more flavorful chicken breast, even if you accidentally overcook it slightly.

Addressing Concerns About Saltiness: After brining, rinse the chicken breasts thoroughly under cold water to remove any excess salt. Pat them dry before proceeding with the seasoning and baking steps.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Pro Tips

• Don’t skip pounding the chicken breasts to even out the thickness.
• Mix the oil and seasoning together to create a ‘seasoning paste’ instead of just using dry seasoning for better flavor adhesion.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate cooking and avoid overcooking.
• Remove the chicken promptly from the oven when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Resting is important! Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes allows the chicken to retain most of its juices.
• Experiment with different seasoning blends like Italian, Mexican, or Asian.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t overcook the chicken breasts, as this leads to dryness.
• Not pounding the chicken evenly results in uneven cooking.
• Skipping the resting period causes the chicken to lose juices.
• Using too much salt in the seasoning overpowers other flavors.

Serving & Storage

Serving Ideas

• Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
• Sautéed Zucchini & Yellow Squash
• Skillet Sautéed Green Beans
• Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo
• Roasted Lemon Pepper Broccoli
• Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes

You can also slice the chicken and serve it over salads or in sandwiches. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for a pop of color and flavor.

Speaking of sides, why not try a classic 7-layer salad with a toasted pecan twist to complement your chicken?

Storage and Make-Ahead

Fridge: Store leftover chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezer: To freeze cooked chicken breasts, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating: The best methods for reheating are in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, in the microwave on medium power, or in a skillet with a little olive oil. Add a splash of chicken broth to retain moisture during reheating.

Craving more one-pot wonders? This easy one-pot Greek meatballs with lemon dill rice recipe might be your next weeknight favorite!

Conclusion

This easy baked chicken breast recipe is the perfect solution for a juicy, flavorful, and stress-free Sunday dinner. With the simple brining trick and foolproof baking method, you’ll never have to worry about dry chicken again. This recipe is beginner-friendly, and the brining technique is easy to master. Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and side dishes to create your own signature chicken breast masterpiece. Share this recipe with your friends and family and spread the joy of perfectly cooked chicken!

If you love easy chicken recipes, you might also enjoy this one-pot chicken tikka masala recipe!

FAQ

How do I keep baked chicken breasts from drying out? The brining and resting steps are crucial for keeping baked chicken breasts moist and juicy.

What temperature should I bake chicken breasts at for the best results? I recommend baking chicken breasts at 425°F.

How long should I bake chicken breasts? Bake for 18-20 minutes, but always check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F.

What are some easy variations for the seasoning blend? Try using taco seasoning, chili seasoning, or lemon pepper for different flavor profiles.

How long can I store baked chicken breasts? You can store baked chicken breasts in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Need a lighter option for sides? Consider these roasted cabbage wedges with garlic herb butter.

What are some healthy side dish options to serve with baked chicken? Steamed vegetables, salads, and quinoa are all great healthy side dish options. To learn more about the importance of protein in a balanced diet, explore resources from Harvard’s School of Public Health.

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