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This easy baked chicken recipe is one of my family’s all-time favorite dinners! Bone-in and skin-on breasts (or thighs!) are marinated in a citrusy, garlicky glaze then baked in the oven. You’re going to love this simple baked chicken that can be used in so many ways. Table of Contents
Chicken is the star protein in our house. It’s affordable and pretty hard to mess up. Give me chicken in a stir fry, a soup, a taco – and I’m happy. But, this easy baked chicken recipe is so good it makes me more than happy! It makes me overjoyed. This recipe has a simple, flavor-packed chicken marinade that honestly does most of the work for you. Let the chicken breasts or thighs soak up the marinade, then pop them in a baking dish, put them in the oven, and then walk away for 45 minutes. No need to stand over the stove, or fuss over a complicated recipe. Pour yourself a glass of wine and kick your feet up while your oven makes the best baked chicken of your life. What You’ll NeedFor the absolute best baked chicken, you’ll need chicken breasts or thighs, plus a lip smacking marinade. For the chicken marinade:
Then to finish up you’ll need:
How to Bake Chicken in the Oven1. Marinate: Mix together all of the ingredients besides the chicken. Place chicken in a bowl or large ziplock bag. Add the marinade to the chicken and toss to coat. Cover the bowl or seal the ziplock bag and place it in the fridge to marinate for 1 hour. 2. Prep the Oven and Pan: When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the chicken breast, bone side down, on a baking pan. 3. Bake: Spoon a little extra marinade on top of each piece of chicken and then toss the remaining marinade. Sprinkle the chicken with a bit more Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven until the chicken meat is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear. This should take about 45 to 55 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the breast meat should read 165°F. 4. Rest and Serve: Cover the chicken loosely with foil and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then serve. This ensures your chicken stays extra juicy Baking TimesFor this recipe, you can choose to use chicken breast or chicken thighs. Chicken BreastsChicken breasts have a tendency to dry out more quickly than a chicken thigh so the cook time will be shorter. Here are some simple cooking time guidelines:
You’ll know the chicken is done when it is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear. For the most accurate results, I use an instant-read meat thermometer. I insert it into the thickest part of the meat and I look for a temperature of 165°F. Chicken ThighsBone-in skin-on chicken thighs are, IMO, the most underrated cut of chicken. The dark meat is juicy and moist and doesn’t really dry out. Bake your chicken thighs in a 375°F oven for about 55 minutes. Use that instant read meat thermometer to make sure you reached an internal temp of 165°F. Do You Cover Chicken When Baking?You don’t need to cover the chicken breasts or thighs when baking them in the oven. I do like to wrap the chicken in foil after it is done cooking, during the rest period. It is a simple trick you can use to make sure your chicken is extra tender and juicy. Internal Temperature for ChickenThe perfect internal temperature to cook your chicken is 165°F. This temperature will ensure the meat is cooked through and no longer pink, but also that it isn’t dry or tough. It’s the best temperature for moist, juicy chicken every time. If you’re not sure how you can tell what the internal temp is, use an instant read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat and you’ll have your answer in seconds. Tips for SuccessThere are few simple tricks I use to make sure my chicken comes out perfect every time. Here’s what I recommend:
Serving SuggestionsI like to serve baked chicken with a starch and a veggie. I’m thinking rice or riced cauliflower, roasted or mashed potatoes, egg noodles – you get the idea. Broccoli, green beans, or any green veggie will pair great with this meal! I really love this chicken with my green bean casserole or creamy baked brussels sprouts! For a one pan meal, you can roast potatoes and veggies right in the pan with the chicken. Spoon some of the marinade right on top and you are all set. I have also been know to drizzle tzatziki sauce on my chicken and potatoes. The leftover chicken is also great to pull from the bone and use in a soup or chicken pot pie! How to Store and Reheat LeftoversYou’ve got two options for storing your leftover baked chicken – the fridge or the freezer. Whichever you choose, you are going to want to wrap the chicken tightly or store it in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to reheat your baked chicken, place it in a baking dish and warm them in the oven. To avoid drying out, you could whip up some extra marinade and spoon it over the chicken.
Yield: 6 Easy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts or ThighsThis easy baked chicken recipe is one of my family's all-time favorites! Bone-in and skin-on breasts (or thighs!) are marinated in a citrusy, garlicky glaze then baked in the oven. Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 55 minutes Additional Time 1 hour Total Time 2 hours Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:Yield:6Serving Size:1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 338Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 623mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 41g CategoriesThis post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. Related PostsHow long does it take for chicken breasts to bake at 375?Preheat your oven to 375°F. Drizzle 4 8-ounce chicken breasts with a bit of EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Bake on a baking sheet until cooked through, 35-40 minutes.
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 375?There are a few different oven temperatures you can bake chicken. A good rule of thumb is 375 degrees. Not all chicken breasts are created equal- some are bigger and thicker than others. But an 8oz chicken breast should be cooked at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.
How long does boneless chicken take at 375?If you're cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an oven set to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll get the best results if you let them cook for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're cooking large bone-in and skin-on chicken breasts, leave them in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes.
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?Baking chicken breasts at 350 degrees results in more tender and juicy meat while baking them at 400 degrees produces crispy skin.
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