Simple Baked Chicken Breast

A five-ingredient, oven-finished chicken breast with nutrition calculated from real USDA data for the chicken itself.

Servings: 4 Prep: 5 min Cook: 25 min
Food safety: Chicken must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), checked with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the breast -- per FoodSafety.gov's Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart (https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/safe-minimum-cooking-temperature). Color is not a reliable way to tell if chicken is done; always use a thermometer.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden.
  4. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a food thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
  5. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Contains estimated values (not all ingredients matched to USDA data)

Calories224.8
Protein23.7 g
Fat13.9 g
Carbs0 g
Fiber0 g
Sugars0 g
Sodium71.5 mg

Volume-to-weight conversions (cups/tbsp/tsp) use standard factors and will vary by ingredient density -- treat as an estimate, not a lab measurement.