Juicy Baked Chicken Breast

It seems so simple, baked chicken breast, but if not careful, chicken can end up dry.  This method will allow the chicken to be juicy.  Please pay attention to the cook time and observe the chicken to determine when it is done.  When the chicken feels firm, yet still has a slight give when pressed in the center with your finger, it is done.  Juices will be clear.   If your finger sinks in easily, it is not done.  If your finger feels no give when pressed into the chicken, it is over done.  Cook time will take 14-18 minutes depending on size of breast.  For a chicken breast with the tender attached, this will take 16-18 minutes.  For a smaller breast, it will take 14 minutes to cook.  Once taken from the oven, the chicken will need to rest for 2-5 minutes before slicing.  If they do not rest, the chicken will not be juicy.

Also important is choosing high quality chicken.  Organic or pastured will have the best flavor, but will also come from chickens that were treated kindly.  Chickens that are treated kindly have more nutrition.  Organic chicken will also have no antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, or herbicides being ingested due to the food that the chickens are consuming.  They are healthier and happier, meaning you will be healthier and happier when eating them.  For this recipe, you will need:

2-4 organic chicken breasts

A good sprinkling of seasoning salt, we call ours “Salt, Pepper, Garlic” because that is what it contains, and that is all that it contains.  No fillers or funny stuff because I make it myself.  It consists of approximately 75% sea salt, 15% garlic granules, and 10% ground black pepper. (Please note, it is easy to omit black pepper for AIP)

Put a broiler pan or baking sheet in the oven and turn oven to bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.  The pan needs to preheat with the oven, so that when the chicken touch the pan, they sizzle and start cooking from the bottom.  Rinse the chicken under cold water and season  both sides liberally with seasoning salt.  When the oven is preheated and pan is hot, remove pan from oven.  Place chicken, equally spaced on pan, the chicken should not be touching.  Bake 14-18 minutes depending on size.  After the timer goes off, test the chicken breast using the method described above.  Let rest 2-5 minutes before slicing.

This basic chicken recipe is excellent for topping salads, serving alongside roasted vegetables, or with a nice sauce like Cilantro-Walnut Pesto.