Ingredients
Method
Prepare the Chicken
- Dissolve the salt in water in a large bowl. Add thyme and stir to combine. Submerge chicken breasts in the brine and let sit for 30-45 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove chicken from brine and pat completely dry with paper towels. Discard the brine.
Season and Bake
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, pepper, and salt to make a paste.
- Rub the herb mixture all over both sides of each chicken breast, coating evenly.
- Place chicken on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) during resting.
Notes
Brining time can be extended up to 2 hours for extra flavor, but don't go longer or the texture becomes mushy. If your chicken breasts are very thick (over 1 inch), pound them to even thickness or butterfly them for more even cooking. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat well in a 300°F oven.
