Easy Baked Chicken

https://cafedelites.com/oven-baked-chicken-breast/

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed -- FOR KETO: use brown sugar substitute

• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano, (or thyme, parsley, rosemary)

• 1 teaspoon salt, (use seasoned salt, Adobo or chicken salt for extra flavor)

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon chili powder, (or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper) -- optional for a kick of heat

• 4 large chicken breasts (7oz | 200g each)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

OPTIONAL:

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped

• 2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425°F | 220°C (standard ovens) or 390°F | 200°C (fan forced or convection ovens).

2. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound each chicken breast to 0.8-inch | 2cm at the thickest part. Make sure your fillets are all the same thickness to ensure even cooking.

3. Combine sugar, paprika, oregano, salt, powders, pepper and chili (if using).

4. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil (or parchment/baking paper). Transfer chicken to the pan and toss chicken in the seasoning. Drizzle with the oil and rub seasoning all over to evenly coat. 

5. Bake chicken in preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until internal temperature is 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer. It should be golden with crisp edges.*

6. Remove parchment paper. Broil (grill) on high heat during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking until golden and crisp.

7. Remove pan from oven, transfer chicken to serving plates and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

8. OPTIONAL STEP: While chicken is in the oven, melt butter in a small skillet. Sauté garlic until fragrant (30 seconds), and remove pan from heat. Stir in parsley, then pour butter mixture into pan juices, stirring well to combine all of the flavors together.

9. To serve, drizzle pan juices over the chicken and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.