When it comes to lean meat, chicken breasts is always the first choice for many, especially for those who are into healthy eating. Some might say that it is not the most exciting cut of chicken, with proper cooking, chicken breasts can turn into a fantastic dish.

Cooking chicken breasts is quite hard, especially if you are new to this piece of meat. It must be handled with delicate hands, and precise cooking style. When cooked the wrong way, chicken breasts can turn tough, dry, and flavorless. However, when properly executed, it is tender and delicious.

Depending on the cooking style and ingredients, chicken breast covers a wide array of possibilities. Although there are some simple cooking technique like roasting or grilling, baked chicken breasts is still preferred by many and by far the most delicious.

Baked chicken breasts are easy to prepare. It requires simple ingredients and does not make a lot of mess to clean up after. What is even more exciting about chicken breast is that it can be cooked in large batches, freeze the leftovers, and just re-heat it when you want some. Freezing chicken breast does not necessarily destroy its taste, which is why it is a versatile piece of meat.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil depending on your taste

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon freshly grounded black pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Preparation

One secret in making a juicy chicken breast is to brine it first. Simply fill a bowl with warm water, add some sea salt, and stir until all the salt is absorbed. Next is to add the chicken breast and just let it sit for 15 minutes.

Remove the chicken breast from the brine and rinse it with cold water. Dry the chicken using a paper towel.

Cooking

Before dealing with the chicken, make sure to preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Place all the chicken breasts in a baking dish, making sure that they are arranged in a single layer. Brush each sides of the chicken with melted butter or olive oil.

In a separate bowl, mix the pepper, garlic powder, salt, and paprika together. Once properly mixed, sprinkle the mixture evenly on both sides of the chicken.

Bake the chicken for about 15 minutes, or until your desired consistency is reached. If you have a cooking thermometer, check the internal temperature of the chicken and once it reads at least 160 degrees F, it should be ready.

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes before service.

Tips

As a side dish, a cup of fried rice will complement the chicken. Green salads are also a great choice as a side dish. Some people actually scape the bits and pieces of cooked meat that gets attached to the baking pan, add a little bit of water and pour on the chicken as a sort of gravy.