✓ Pesach-friendly. Look for a Pesach hechsher on: garlic powder, paprika. Pesach recipes and menu planner
Baked chicken breast doesn’t have to be dry. A quick brine and a hot oven give you juicy, tender chicken seasoned with paprika, garlic powder and thyme.
Why Brining Helps
A short soak in salt water, from 30 minutes to 4 hours, helps lean chicken breast hold on to its moisture during cooking. Pat the breasts dry after brining, rub them with olive oil and seasoning, and bake at a high temperature. The most important step is not overcooking: use a meat thermometer and take the chicken out at 160 to 165°F, then let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Kosher Notes
This is a meat (fleishig) recipe. Kosher chicken is already salted during koshering, so many cooks skip the brine or brine for a shorter time with less salt to avoid an overly salty result. If you skip the brine, the thermometer matters even more.
Serving and Leftovers
Slice it over salads, into sandwiches or alongside rice and vegetables. Leftovers keep for 4 days.

Ingredients
What I use for this recipe
- Instant-read thermometerSee it on Amazon
- Rimmed baking sheetSee it on Amazon
- Parchment paperSee it on Amazon
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Method
- Dissolve kosher salt and garlic powder in 4 cups of water to create brine. Submerge chicken breasts completely and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove chicken from brine and pat completely dry with paper towels.
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, then coat evenly with spice mixture.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each piece.
- Bake at 425°F for 6 minutes, then reduce temperature to 375°F without opening the oven door.
- Continue baking for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Notes
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