21 Surprisingly Easy Baked Boneless Chicken Breast Recipes

Chicken breasts in parchment paper

The Spruce 

There's probably no easier way to prepare boneless, skinless chicken breasts than in the oven. While you might have to marinate them or coat the chicken with crumbs or a sauce mixture, these recipes are all very easy and will get you out of the kitchen quickly, no frying involved.

Chicken breasts can get dry when overcooked, so an instant-read meat thermometer is an important tool to have in your arsenal. Be sure to check several pieces for doneness as chicken breasts vary in size and thickness. When the chicken breasts register 160 F, take them out of the oven. The chicken will continue to cook for a few minutes, bringing the final temperature to the minimum safe temperature of 165 F. The chicken will be done, and it will still be moist and tender.

Tip

When baking chicken that is coated in crumbs or cereal, place it on a wire rack inside a shallow pan so the chicken will be crisp on both sides.

  • 01 of 21

    Caprese Chicken

    Grilled Caprese Chicken

    The Spruce / Ahlam Raffii

    If you need an elegant but fast dinner for two, this Caprese chicken is an excellent choice. The boneless, skinless chicken breasts are baked and then layered with sliced tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese. A homemade balsamic reduction takes the dish over the top.

  • 02 of 21

    Copycat Shake and Bake Chicken Breasts

    Fake Shake and Bake Chicken Breasts

    The Spruce Eats

    Cornflake crumbs, wheat germ, sesame seeds, and flour combine to form a crisp coating for these fake shake and bake chicken breasts. The homemade mix is surprisingly simple and is seasoned with spice cupboard staples like paprika, mustard, garlic, and onion salt. It's inexpensive and contains none of the additives found in the popular packaged coating.

  • 03 of 21

    Baked Chicken With Bacon and Pepper Jack Cheese

    Baked Chicken With Bacon and Pepper Jack Cheese

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Layers of barbecue sauce, bacon, and pepper jack cheese take these basic boneless chicken breasts from ordinary to extraordinary. This baked chicken with bacon and pepper jack cheese is an easy preparation that starts on the stovetop and is finished in the oven. The flavor combination is nothing short of amazing.

  • 04 of 21

    Potato Chip Chicken

    Potato Chip Chicken

    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

    Change up your dinner routine with potato chip chicken. The oven-fried recipe uses crushed potato chips instead of breadcrumbs and is seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper. Barbecue kettle-cooked chips are best, adding a nice hint of flavor and a great crunch.

    Continue to 5 of 21 below.
  • 05 of 21

    Baked Curried Chicken

    Baked curry chicken

    Cyril Riseng / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Curry flavors abound in this delicious baked curried chicken dish. Coconut milk, garlic, curry powder, and onion lay down a nice flavor foundation, while raisins and flaked coconut add texture and extra flavor. Serve the chicken and sauce over hot cooked rice and call dinner done!

  • 06 of 21

    Crispy Ranch Chicken

    Crispy Ranch Chicken and side salad

    Philippe Desnerck / Getty Images

    Ranch dressing mix flavors the breadcrumb coating on these baked crispy Ranch chicken breasts. To help the seasoned breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken, all you need is a little sour cream. Best of all, this six-ingredient dish is ready in 30 minutes!

  • 07 of 21

    Saucy Chicken Recipe

    Saucy Chicken
    flavorrelish /Flickr/CC BY 2.0

    Save this saucy chicken recipe for a super busy day. Boneless chicken breasts are simply baked in a mix of salsa, brown sugar, and honey Dijon mustard. Serve it with rice, couscous, pasta, or a basic tossed salad to complete the meal.

  • 08 of 21

    Baked Lemon Chicken

    Baked lemon chicken recipe

    The Spruce Eats

    A lemon and garlic marinade ensures your baked chicken breasts will stay moist and flavorful. You will need to let it marinate for at least a couple of hours, but not overnight, so there is some planning involved. It's finished off with sliced lemons for extra zing and is excellent when served with mashed potatoes or rice.

    Continue to 9 of 21 below.
  • 09 of 21

    Tandoori Chicken

    Tandoori Chicken

    The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

    Although traditionally cooked in a clay oven called a tandoor, this tandoori chicken recipe is just as delicious when baked in a regular oven. Boneless chicken is cubed and marinated in a combination of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, tomato, and Indian spices. Sear the chicken on the stove before placing it in the oven if you like and serve it with basmati rice.

  • 10 of 21

    Baked Cheddar Chicken

    Cheddar-Garlic Oven Chicken Breast
    CandyTX/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

    Two kinds of cheese and breadcrumbs make up the crisp coating on this baked cheddar chicken. The chicken is first dipped in an egg and sour cream mixture, then in the breadcrumb mixture to ensure it comes out of the oven tender and crispy.  

  • 11 of 21

    Baked Chicken Parmesan Dinner

    Chicken Parmesan With Mozzarella Cheese

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    This baked chicken Parmesan dinner will quickly become a family favorite. The chicken is breaded and baked, and then it's topped with your favorite pasta sauce and cheese. All you need to complete the meal is some cooked spaghetti.

  • 12 of 21

    Chicken Breasts in Parchment Paper

    Chicken breasts in parchment paper

    The Spruce Eats

    Parchment paper keeps these baked chicken breasts juicy and tender. Use your favorite herbs and spices to flavor the chicken and then top them with slices of lemon, orange, or lime. It's a brightly flavored, quick, and light dish that's perfect for summer.

    Continue to 13 of 21 below.
  • 13 of 21

    Chicken With Dirty Rice Stuffing

    chicken stuffed with dirty rice

     Lynn Livanos Athan

    Savory Cajun-style dirty rice becomes the stuffing for these baked boneless chicken breasts. A drizzle of a simple white wine pan sauce is the perfect finishing touch to the chicken liver-flavored rice seasoned with scallions and toasted pine nuts.

  • 14 of 21

    Oven-Baked Blue Cheese Chicken

    Blue Cheese Chicken

    The Spruce Eats / Jennifer Meier

    The blue cheese chicken recipe is a fantastic use for the sharp flavor of blue cheese. It's the key ingredient in the rich, creamy sauce, backed by cream cheese, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. The dish makes an excellent meal when you need something fast and flavorful.

  • 15 of 21

    Hoisin-Glazed Chicken Breasts

    Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice
    LauriPatterson / Getty Images

    Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and fresh ginger provide a great flavor for these broiled chicken breasts. You'll need to let it marinate for a while to let the flavors really soak in, but it requires just 10 minutes under the oven's broiler. Serve the Asian-inspired chicken breasts with rice or rice noodles for a fabulous family dinner.

  • 16 of 21

    Peach-Glazed Chicken Breasts

    Peach glazed chicken

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    For a last-minute recipe that you can throw together in minutes, try peach-glazed chicken breasts. Peach preserves, a bit of spicy brown mustard, and vinegar transform the chicken into something really special and unique.

    Continue to 17 of 21 below.
  • 17 of 21

    Chimichurri Chicken en Croute

    Chimichurri Chicken Wrapped in Puff Pastry

    The Spruce Eats / Marian Blazes

    If you need a fancy chicken dish but have little time, this chimichurri chicken en croute is a fantastic solution. Chimichurri sauce and cream cheese coat the chicken breasts before they're neatly wrapped in sheets of puff pastry and baked to perfection. 

  • 18 of 21

    Feta-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

    Cheese-stuffed chicken breasts

    The Spruce Eats

    Feta cheese and herbs make up the filling for these cheese-stuffed chicken breasts. To make it even more tempting, the chicken is baked in a tasty garlicky tomato sauce.

  • 19 of 21

    Chicken Pot Pie With Cheese Biscuit Topping

    Chicken Pie With Cheese and Green Onion Biscuits

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    This one-pot chicken pie is a tasty way to use boneless chicken breasts. Loaded with carrots, celery, onion, peas, and potatoes, it ensures your family eats their veggies too. The cheese and green onion biscuit topping makes it a hearty dish and that much more irresistible.

  • 20 of 21

    Oven Barbecue Chicken Breasts

    Easy Oven Barbecue Chicken Breasts

     The Spruce Eats 

    There's no need to fire up the grill! This easy barbecue chicken recipe is cooked in the oven. A homemade barbecue sauce, complete with a grill-inspired seasoning blend, adds excellent flavor. It makes a nice meal with potato salad and coleslaw.

    Continue to 21 of 21 below.
  • 21 of 21

    Oven-Fried Chicken Breasts With Garlic

    Simple oven fried chicken breast

    The Spruce 

    These oven-fried chicken breasts are easy to prepare. The chicken is dredged in flour that's seasoned with garlic and paprika, and it's likely that you have all of the ingredients in your pantry. Cook up some vegetables for a side dish, or simply add a tossed salad to the dinner table.