Description
A simple, affordable, and crispy baked chicken breast recipe using pantry staples. Perfect for busy weeknights, this foolproof meal delivers a crunchy coating and juicy meat without the hassle of deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water or milk
- 2–3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray or extra oil for baking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
- Place chicken between plastic wrap or in a bag and pound to an even ½-inch thickness.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg with water or milk.
- Dip chicken into the egg wash, letting excess drip off.
- Press chicken firmly into the flour mixture, coating all sides. Shake off excess.
- Place coated chicken on rimmed baking sheets, leaving space between pieces.
- Lightly spray tops with cooking spray or drizzle with oil.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes without opening the oven door for the first 15 minutes.
- Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is golden brown.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking and crispiness. Do not skip the resting period to keep the meat juicy. For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper. For a cheesy crust, mix Parmesan into the flour. Can be made gluten-free by swapping flour for a 1:1 blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: baked chicken, crispy chicken, fall recipes, easy dinner, weeknight meals, family friendly, budget meals, healthy chicken