Ingredients:

  • 4 (6 oz / 170g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to gently pound the thickest part of each breast until it is a uniform thickness of roughly ¾ inch.
  3. Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  5. Brush the seasoning mixture generously over both sides of each chicken breast.
  6. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there is 1 inch of space between each breast to prevent steaming.
  7. Bake for 18–22 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest part of the meat; remove the chicken from the oven when it reaches 160°F (71°C).
  8. Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Let the meat rest for 5–10 minutes, allowing the carryover heat to bring the internal temperature to a safe 165°F (74°C).