10+ Quick Baked Chicken Breast Recipes for Busy Weeknights
When you need a quick and satisfying meal, baked chicken breasts are an ideal choice. These recipes allow you to prepare delicious dishes with minimal effort and time. You can enjoy tender and juicy chicken on busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
Baking chicken breasts is simple and requires just a few ingredients. With the right approach, you can create a variety of tasty meals that your family will love. Whether you prefer a classic seasoning or something a bit more adventurous, you’re sure to find a recipe that suits your taste.
Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken
Lemon garlic baked chicken is a delicious and easy dish to prepare. With just a few ingredients, you can have a tasty meal that your whole family will love. The bright flavors of lemon and the warmth of garlic make this chicken shine.
To start, you will need fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and your choice of herbs. These ingredients combine for a simple marinade that adds great flavor.
Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to soak in, making your chicken tender and juicy.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) before baking. Cook the chicken for about 20-25 minutes. Check that it’s fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme)
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken breasts to the marinade and coat well.
- Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the marinated chicken in a baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken
Honey mustard glazed chicken is a delicious option for a quick meal. The sweet and tangy glaze pairs perfectly with tender chicken breasts. It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a great choice for busy nights.
To make this dish, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Start by mixing honey, mustard, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice for the glaze. This combination gives the chicken a flavorful kick.
Coat the chicken with the glaze and place it in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, then brush on more glaze. Return it to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix honey, mustard, garlic, and lemon juice.
- Coat the chicken with the glaze.
- Place the chicken in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Brush more glaze on the chicken and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
3) Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast
Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast is a simple and tasty dish. It’s perfect for a quick dinner and can impress your family or friends.
To make this recipe, start with boneless chicken breasts. You’ll coat them in mayonnaise, sprinkle them with shredded Parmesan cheese, and then add breadcrumbs for extra crunch. This creates a savory and crispy crust.
Bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes. This method gives you juicy meat with a golden topping. You won’t even need to fry it!
Serve this chicken with a side salad or pasta for a complete meal. It’s delicious and so easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread mayonnaise on each chicken breast.
- Combine cheese and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
- Coat each breast with the cheese mixture.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.
4) Herb Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
Herb roasted chicken with vegetables is a simple and tasty dish. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner. You can prepare it quickly and let the oven do the work.
Start by seasoning your chicken with fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary. This adds a lot of flavor. Arrange colorful vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and leeks around the chicken in your roasting pan.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Cook everything for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). The vegetables should be tender and caramelized.
This one-pan dish makes cleanup easy, too! You’ll have a delicious meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, leeks)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
- Toss vegetables in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place chicken on a roasting pan and surround it with vegetables.
- Roast for 30 to 40 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5) BBQ Ranch Chicken Bake
For a delicious and easy meal, try BBQ Ranch Chicken Bake. This recipe combines tender chicken with zesty BBQ and ranch flavors. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for busy nights.
You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this dish. Coat them with a mix of your favorite BBQ sauce and ranch dressing. This adds great taste without much effort.
Place the chicken in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 to 30 minutes. The chicken is ready when it’s no longer pink in the center.
Serve your BBQ Ranch Chicken with a side of veggies or on top of a salad. This meal is sure to be a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix BBQ sauce and ranch dressing in a bowl.
- Coat the chicken breasts with the sauce mixture.
- Place the chicken in a baking dish.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until fully cooked.
6) Greek-Style Chicken with Feta
This Greek-Style Chicken with Feta is a simple and tasty dish. You can prepare it quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. The flavors of lemon, olives, and feta cheese bring a Mediterranean twist to your meal.
Start by marinating your chicken breasts. Use olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Greek herbs. Let it soak in for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
Next, place the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Top it with sliced tomatoes, olives, and chunks of feta cheese. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
This dish is great served with a side of rice or a fresh salad. You’ll love the vibrant flavors and the juicy chicken!
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Cooking Instructions
- Marinate chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place marinated chicken in a baking dish.
- Top with tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
Baked Chicken Florentine
Baked Chicken Florentine is a delicious and easy dish that combines chicken with fresh spinach. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The use of cheese gives it a creamy texture that you’ll love.
You start by laying fresh spinach in a baking dish. Place thinly pounded chicken breasts on top, drizzled with olive oil and seasoning. The flavors mix together as it cooks.
Adding some cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the taste. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.
This dish is not only tasty but also low carb and gluten-free. It’s a satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup cream or mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lay spinach in the bottom of a baking dish.
- Place chicken breasts on top of the spinach.
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil and sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour cream over chicken and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
8) Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Buffalo chicken stuffed peppers are a tasty and filling meal. They combine the spicy flavor of Buffalo sauce with tender bell peppers. This dish is perfect for a quick dinner.
Start by cooking your chicken. You can bake, boil, or sauté it until it’s cooked through. Shred the chicken and mix it with Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and cheese.
Next, prepare your bell peppers. Cut them in half and remove the seeds. Fill each pepper with the Buffalo chicken mixture, packing it in tightly.
Sprinkle some extra cheese on top for added flavor. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the peppers are tender.
These make a great meal and are easy to store. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days or freeze them for future meals.
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook chicken and shred it.
- Mix chicken with Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
- Cut bell peppers in half and remove seeds.
- Stuff the peppers with the chicken mixture.
- Add cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake until peppers are tender.
9) Pesto Baked Chicken Breasts
Pesto baked chicken breasts are a flavorful and quick dish to prepare. The combination of tender chicken and vibrant pesto makes for a delicious meal. You can use store-bought pesto or make your own with fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Then, spread a generous layer of pesto on top of each breast, ensuring they are well coated.
Place the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink inside. If you like, add sliced tomatoes and cheese for the last few minutes of baking.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3/4 cup pesto
- Optional: sliced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Spread pesto evenly over the chicken.
- Place the chicken on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Optional: Add tomatoes and cheese in the last 3-5 minutes.
10) Crispy Baked Chicken with Panko
Crispy baked chicken with panko is a fun and easy dish to make. You get a crunchy, golden coating without frying. It’s perfect for a quick dinner.
Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Panko breadcrumbs give that nice crispy texture. You can add parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Season the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for a tasty touch.
Bake in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and bake for another 7-8 minutes or until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
This dish pairs well with your favorite veggies or a salad.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Egg
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Beat an egg in a shallow bowl.
- Mix panko, parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
- Dip the chicken in the egg, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the chicken on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and bake for an additional 7-8 minutes.