Description
Mouthwatering Italian Baked Chicken delivers classic Mediterranean flavors straight to your dinner table. Crispy herbed exterior and juicy meat make this simple yet elegant dish a perfect weeknight comfort meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680 grams)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Extras and Cheese:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400F (200C) for optimal chicken roasting.
- Prepare a baking dish with a light olive oil coating to prevent sticking.
- Create a zesty marinade by blending olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice.
- Thoroughly coat the chicken pieces in the marinade and allow to rest for 15 minutes, enabling flavors to penetrate.
- Generously sprinkle freshly chopped basil and aromatic Italian seasoning across the marinated chicken surface.
- Distribute halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken in an even arrangement within the baking dish.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (75C) and develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Prep chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor absorption by using a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish to coat all surfaces completely.
- Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes after baking to help retain moisture and redistribute juices throughout the meat.
- Customize recipe by substituting herbs like rosemary or thyme for basil, or adding parmesan cheese for extra richness and depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg