This oven-baked chicken breast with herb butter is the perfect solution when you want a juicy, flavorful, and foolproof chicken dinner. Finished with a rich garlic herb butter and baked to perfection, this recipe delivers tender chicken breasts that stay moist and delicious — no dryness, no guesswork. Ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a healthy homemade dinner.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Herb Butter
- Butter
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
(or dried parsley — use half the amount) - Freshly minced garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Honey
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
For the Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Dried thyme
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oil (for searing)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Herb Butter
In a small bowl, mix the butter with parsley, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, honey, and red pepper flakes until well combined. Set aside.
2. Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Sear for Extra Juiciness
Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. This locks in moisture and boosts flavor.
4. Add Herb Butter
Remove the skillet from heat and spread the garlic herb butter generously over each chicken breast.
5. Bake
Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through and juicy. Spoon the melted herb butter over the chicken once or twice while baking.
6. Rest & Serve
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This keeps it tender and flavorful.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Pound thicker chicken breasts slightly for even cooking
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overbaking
- Let the butter melt naturally in the oven — don’t rush it
Variations & Substitutions
- Healthy option: Use reduced-fat butter or olive oil butter
- Spicy version: Add extra red pepper flakes or chili powder
- Herb swap: Rosemary or oregano works well instead of thyme
Storage & Meal Prep
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator
- Reheat gently to avoid drying out
- Great for weekly meal prep and protein bowls
Juicy Oven-Baked Chicken Breast with Garlic Herb Butter
Equipment
- Oven-safe skillet
- Small bowl
- Meat thermometer (recommended)
Ingredients
Garlic Herb Butter
- 4 tbsp butter softened
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped (or 2 tsp dried parsley)
- 3 cloves garlic freshly minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp honey
- red pepper flakes pinch (optional)
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp oil for searing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Prepare the garlic herb butter: In a small bowl, mix butter, parsley, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, honey, and red pepper flakes (optional) until well combined. Set aside.
- Season the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Sear for extra juiciness: Heat oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Add herb butter: Remove skillet from heat and spread the garlic herb butter generously over each chicken breast.
- Bake: Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until chicken is cooked through and juicy. Spoon the melted herb butter over the chicken once or twice while baking.
- Rest & serve: Remove from the oven and let chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.