Perfect Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

step 1

• STEP 1.Remove the chicken breasts from the fridge and allow them to sit at room temperature for

step 2

• STEP 2.20-30 minutes before cooking.

step 3

• STEP 3.The closer to room temperature that they are, the better.

step 4

• STEP 4.Preheat oven to 450ºf

step 5

• STEP 5.Lay the chicken breasts between two pieces of saran wrap or wax paper and gently pound with a meat mallet*, starting from the center and pounded towards the edges.

step 6

• STEP 6.The goal is to create a chicken breast that is uniform in thickness so that it cooks evenly.

step 7

• STEP 7.Place chicken breasts on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle each side with avocado oil and season liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

step 8

• STEP 8.Bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

step 9

• STEP 9.Rest the chicken for 10 minutes so the juices can settle and the internal temperature rises up to 165 degrees.