True – chicken dark meat is more tasty than chicken breast, for most.

Chicken breasts fight back! This remarkably tasty oven-baked chicken breast recipe is simple and fast! Seasoning is just brown sugar, paprika, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. The brown sugar secret is what makes the chicken much juicier than usual baked chicken breast.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts , 150 – 180g / 5 – 6 oz each
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
  • Finely chopped parsley for garnish

Method

STEP 1 – Prep

  • Preheat oven to 425 F.
  • Soak chicken into salt water for 15 minutes.

STEP 2 – Tenderize

Punch it! Yes, you can use a meat mallet or roller, but pounding the chicken with your fist just …feels better! End-up with pieces not thicker than 1.5cm.

STEP 3 – Prepare Seasoning

Mix dry seasoning into a bowl. The Sugar, paprika, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper.

STEP 4 – Season chicken

Place chicken upside down in a pan. I use oven-safe glassware. Drizzle chicken with about 1 tsp olive oil. Rub with fingers. Sprinkle with half the seasoning covering as much of the surface area as you can. Flip chicken and repeat with oil first, then seasoning on the other side.

STEP 5 – Bake

Bake 18-20 minutes, or until surface is golden, or internal temperature is 165 F. Remove from oven and cover with aluminum foil for 3 minutes.

Bon appetite!

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.