Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts
User Reviews
5
14 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
-
Additional Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
-
Calories
494 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts
Report
Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts feature large chicken breasts brined briefly in salted water for moisture retention, then baked with butter and a blend of garlic, onion powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. The baking ensures lightly browned, well-seasoned breasts, and a complementary white garlic sauce made with butter, flour, milk, Parmesan cheese, and garlic enhances the dish with creamy, rich flavor. This recipe yields tender, flavorful chicken suitable for a main course.
Description
This recipe starts by brining trimmed chicken breasts in salted water for 1 to 4 hours to help the meat retain moisture during baking. After brining, the chicken is patted dry, buttered, and coated with a seasoning mix of seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and white pepper. Baking at 400°F for about 18-20 minutes produces meat that is lightly browned on the outside yet juicy inside. Resting the chicken before serving allows juices to redistribute. The accompanying white garlic sauce is made by melting butter, cooking minced garlic, then creating a roux with flour before adding milk and Parmesan cheese, resulting in a smooth, garlicky, creamy sauce that pairs well with the chicken. The blend of flavors and the moist texture make this recipe a straightforward and appealing chicken entrée.
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Ingredients
Baked Chicken:
- 4 chicken breast trimmed of excess fat, large
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt coarse
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper or black
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
White Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4-6 garlic minced or pressed, cloves
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup whole milk or half and half
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly and finely grated, or pecorino cheese
- ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt coarse
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs , chopped, optional
Instructions
Baked Chicken Breasts:
- Fill a large mixing bowl about halfway with warm water and stir in the salt until nearly dissolved. Add the chicken breasts and add more water if they are not fully submerged. Place in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up. Set aside.
- Remove the chicken breasts from the brine, discarding the liquid. Pat dry with paper towels and place into the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- In a small bowl, stir together the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper.
- Baste each breast with melted butter and then evenly sprinkle with the seasoning mixture.
- Bake, uncovered, for 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is lightly browned and reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F.
- Remove and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.
White Garlic Sauce:
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When melted, add the garlic, sauteing for 1 minute. Whisk in the flour to make a paste and then whisk in the milk until smooth (except for garlic bits).
- Reduce heat to low and whisk in the cheese, pepper, salt and fresh herbs. When cheese has melted, remove from the heat until ready to serve.
Serving:
- When ready to serve, spoon the white garlic sauce generously over the chicken breasts.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Equipments used:
Notes
- Use an instant thermometer to monitor chicken breasts as sizes vary, with cooking times from 15 to 23 minutes.
- Brining for at least 1 hour improves juiciness but do not exceed 4 hours to avoid oversalting.
- Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to let the juices settle for optimal tenderness.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
494kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
10g
(3%)
Protein
55g
(110%)
Fat
25g
(38%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
195mg
(65%)
Sodium
2021mg
(84%)
Potassium
985mg
(21%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
670IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
206mg
(21%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 494 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 494kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 55g | 110% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 195mg | 65% |
| Sodium | 2021mg | 84% |
| Potassium | 985mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 670IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 206mg | 21% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
14 reviews
Excellent
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