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This Tender Italian Baked Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare. Boneless chicken breasts are coated with olive oil, garlic, Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of lemon, then baked until tender and golden. It's an easy weeknight dinner that pairs perfectly with pasta, roasted potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Yield: 4 chicken breasts
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Cooking Method: Oven-Baked
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
For Serving
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Additional grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley or basil
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
If your chicken breasts are very thick or uneven, gently pound the thicker portions until the pieces are relatively even in thickness. This helps them cook more evenly.
3. Make the Italian Seasoning Mixture
In a small bowl, combine:
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional red pepper flakes
Mix until well combined.
4. Season the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
Brush the Italian seasoning mixture generously over both sides of each chicken breast.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the tops.
5. Bake
Bake uncovered at 400°F for approximately 20–25 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken.
The chicken is fully cooked when the thickest portion reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Avoid overcooking, which can cause chicken breast to become dry.
6. Let the Chicken Rest
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for approximately 5 minutes before slicing.
Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken.
7. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil and additional Parmesan cheese.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving if desired.
Serve warm.
🍝 What to Serve With Italian Baked Chicken
This chicken pairs beautifully with:
- Garlic butter pasta
- Fettuccine Alfredo
- Spaghetti
- Roasted potatoes
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- White rice
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Asparagus
- Caesar salad
- Garlic bread
For an easy complete dinner, serve the sliced chicken over buttery pasta with roasted broccoli and garlic bread.
Tips for Tender Baked Chicken
Use evenly sized chicken breasts: Uneven chicken can leave the thinner portion dry before the thicker portion finishes cooking.
Don't skip the olive oil: It helps the seasonings adhere and adds moisture and flavor.
Don't overcook the chicken: A food thermometer is the easiest way to determine when chicken is finished.
Let it rest: Give the chicken about five minutes before slicing so more of the juices remain inside.
Freshly grate the Parmesan: Fresh Parmesan generally melts and browns better than pre-grated varieties.
Add fresh lemon at the end: A squeeze of lemon brightens the garlic and Italian herb flavors.
Storage
Allow leftover chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating
Place the chicken in a baking dish with a small splash of chicken broth or water.
Cover loosely with foil and warm at 325°F until heated through.
You can also microwave individual portions in short intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep baked chicken breast tender?
Using chicken breasts of even thickness, coating them with olive oil, monitoring their internal temperature, and allowing them to rest after baking all help prevent dry chicken.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless or bone-in chicken thighs work well, but the cooking time will differ. Always cook chicken to a safe internal temperature.
Can I prepare this chicken ahead of time?
You can combine the seasoning mixture and coat the chicken ahead of time. Keep the raw chicken covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it.
Can I add mozzarella cheese?
Yes. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the chicken during the final few minutes of baking for a cheesy Italian-style variation.
Can I make this spicy?
Add additional crushed red pepper flakes to the seasoning mixture for extra heat.
Nutrition Information
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 330
- Protein: 43g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and ingredients used.
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