The BIG List of Baked Chicken Recipes (2024)

If you are looking for easy and delicious dinner ideas, these baked chicken recipes have you covered. With everything from basic baked chicken to Italian baked chicken, Mexican inspired baked chicken dishes, to healthy baked chicken recipes, and from boneless chicken breasts to cooking a full chicken in the oven, this list has every baked chicken recipe that you could ever need! Baked Chicken can make so many different types dinners and can be a quick, easy and wholesome way to prepare a meal.

The BIG List of Baked Chicken Recipes (1)

The BEST Baked Chicken Recipes

Chicken is one of the best meats to cook meals with. It is lean, tender and works well in almost any type of cuisine. I make A LOT of chicken recipes that I share here on my blog, and one of the things I love most about baked chicken recipes are that they are so easy to prepare. Many of them can be made in just one dish so not only are they easy to make, but also to clean up.

Baked chicken can be used in many dishes like these shredded chicken recipes, or can be an entire meal in themselves loaded with veggies and delicious flavors. Check out the baked chicken ideas below for meal ideas, or skip down to the bottom for an easy baked chicken recipe you can use for chopping, shredding, adding to salads, pizza, pasta, or meal prep. You can also see my Weekly Meal Plan here to see what’s on the menu this week!

My personal favorite cut of chicken is boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Most of the baked chicken recipes that I make use chicken breast since it is easy to work with, lean and wholesome, and are tender and delicious. However, any type of chicken can be prepared in the oven. You can bake, chicken breast, both boneless, skinless, and bone in, chicken thighs, legs, or wings, and even whole chickens. You can also substitute cuts if you have a recipe you love but would rather use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs, or vica versa. The cooking time may change if you do change the cut.

How do you bake chicken in the oven?

Baking chicken in the oven can be as simple as seasoning the chicken and placing it on a baking sheet, or can incorporate a full meal by adding additional seasonings, flavors, meat, veggies, and cheeses.

What Temperature to Bake Chicken

The temperature that you will bake chicken at in the oven will vary by cut and recipe. Most recipes will call for a temperature between 350˚F- 425˚F. A thicker cut will generally be on the lower side and a cut that you want to get nice and crispy like wings, thighs, or other chicken baked with the skin on is generally higher.

How long to bake chicken in the oven

To be safe to eat, chicken needs to have an internal temperature of 165˚F. Depending on the cut of meat you are using, how thick the piece is, whether or not it is boneless, and how many other ingredients are in the dish with the chicken will determine time and temperature to bake the chicken at. Each recipe will detail a guideline on what temperature and how long to bake the chicken to reach the proper temperature, but again the only way to be 100% sure is by using a meat thermometer.

Here are a few general guidelines to give you an idea of cooking time:

  • Baked Chicken Breast: 375˚F for 25-35 minutes
  • Baked Chicken Thighs: 400˚F for 30-40 minutes
  • Baked Chicken Wings: 400˚ for 40-50 minutes
  • Baked Whole Chicken: 400˚ for 75-90 minutes, plus rest time

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My Favorite Baked Chicken Breast Recipes

Although I can vouch that all of the recipes on this list are delicious, I wanted to pull out a few of my favorite baked chicken recipes to put here at the top. Not only are these my personal favorites, and really crazy delicious in my personal opinion, but all of these are tried and true recipes that thousands of people have made and loved over the years. You can also find more baked chicken recipes by cuisine type below and cut of meat below these.

  1. Baked Tuscan Garlic Chicken
  2. Baked Green Chile Chicken
  3. Pesto Baked Chicken
  4. Jalapeño Popper Baked Chicken
  5. Easy Baked Chicken Marsala
  6. Mediterranean Chicken Bake
  7. Baked Buffalo Chicken Casserole
  8. Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Bake
  9. Hawaiian Chicken Bake
  10. Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan

Baked Chicken Serving Ideas

Since baked chicken is so versatile, there is little you will find that it doesn’t go well with. Since I listed my favorite baked chicken recipes for you though, there are some extra delicious sides that also rank among my favorites that you might want to try like garlic smashed potatoes, sautéed green beans, Mexican cornbread, and these mashed potatoes made with cream cheese!

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Italian Baked Chicken Recipes

These baked chicken recipes bring in all of the great Italian flavors you love into an easy baked chicken meal. From pesto to balsamic to bruschetta tomatoes, they only get tastier when paired with tender chicken.

  • Caprese Chicken
  • Pesto Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake
  • Bruschetta Chicken
  • Broccoli Alfredo Chicken Bake

What to serve with Italian Baked Chicken Dinners

Italian flavors are some of my favorite both for the flavors themselves, and for the delicious side dishes that go along with them. Some great serving ideas for theses Italian themed baked chicken recipes are pasta tossed with olive oil and garlic, tomato sauce, or pesto, mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach or other greens, a side salad, balsamic roasted veggies, and of course garlic bread!

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Mexican Baked Chicken Recipes

Being born and raised in Texas, I need to have some tex-mex in my life at least once a week. Baked chicken meals take the flavors from your Mexcian favorites and make them into a super easy, and many times much lighter Mexican style baked chicken meal.As a bonus, many of these work really well for doubling and then using the leftovers to make additional meals throughout the week (or month if you freeze.) . You can shred or chop the leftover chicken and use it to make dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, salads, burrito bowls, nachos, etc.

  • Fajita Chicken Bake
  • Salsa Fresca Baked Chicken
  • Green Chile Fiesta Chicken Bake
  • Enchilada Chicken Bake
  • Salsa Chicken Bake
  • Queso Baked Chicken
  • Salsa Verde Chicken Bake

What to serve with Mexican Style Baked Chicken

These Mexican flavored baked chicken dishes would go well served with traditional Mexican sides like Spanish rice, low carb Mexican cauliflower rice, black, pinto, or refried beans, Mexican style street corn, tortillas,Mexican cornbread, or any type of roasted veggies.

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Classic Baked Chicken Recipes

These baked chicken recipes have some of the most classic flavors in them. From barbecue, to bacon, broccoli and cheese, pizza, and even sloppy joe style, it is amazing how your favorite dishes can be made into an easy chicken dinner.

  • Barbecue Bacon Chicken Bake
  • Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
  • Baked Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole
  • Cali Alfredo Chicken Bake
  • BLT Chicken Bake
  • Ritz Cracker Baked Chicken
  • Ranch Ritz Cracker Baked Chicken
  • Light Bacon Ranch Chicken Bake
  • Sloppy Joe Chicken Bake
  • Baked Buffalo Pepper Chicken
  • Pizza Chicken Bake
  • Barbecue Chicken Bake
  • Greek Chicken Bake

What to serve with Classic Baked Chicken

Since these recipes give you a wide variety of flavor options, serving ideas can vary, but almost all of them would go well with my favorite mashed potatoes, your choice of pasta, broccoli, smashed potatoes, garlic toast or salad.

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Baked Whole Chicken Recipes

Making a whole chicken in the oven is an easy way to prepare a beautiful meal. While the result of a roasted chicken is certainly stunning, the process is easy so it makes a perfect family meal. Chickens can be roasted whole, or split in half to reduce the baking time. Find some top recipes for baked whole chicken below, from classic to more exotic seasonings.

What to serve with Roast Chicken

Roasted chicken can go great with so many things for serving. We usually prefer classics like mashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower, one pot mac and cheese,sautéed green beans,brown sugar carrots, or salad.

Baked Chicken and Rice Recipes

If you are looking to make a whole meal in one dish, these baked chicken and rice dishes are a great way to do it! The chicken bakes right in with the rice and even veggies, so you get your main dish and your sides all in one! These are quick and easy to make, plus quick and easy to clean up since it is all baked in one dish. Also, the leftovers reheat really well if you want to pack them up for lunch or later in the week.

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Low Carb Baked Chicken Recipes

Baked chicken is a great meat option when you are following a low carb diet. All cuts of chicken are low carb, however recipes made with chicken breast and chicken thighs are especially popular on the diet.

What Low Carb Sides to serve with Baked Chicken

You can serve these recipes with low carb side options such as roasted cauliflower,sautéed green beans, side salad, cauliflower rice, broccoli, brussel sprouts, or other healthy options.

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Baked Chicken Thigh Recipes

Baked chicken thighs are generally juicy and delicious and often include the crispy skin. You can find recipes for both chicken thighs with the bone in, or boneless chicken thighs based on your preference. Chicken thighs taste great with a variety of flavors, so you should be able to find something that matches your taste preferences!

What to serve with Baked Chicken Thighs

Baked chicken thighs go great with a variety of sides. I love to serve them with broccoli slaw, roasted cauliflower, Instant Pot mashed potatoes, or these delicious garlic smashed potatoes, and garlic bread.

I hope this list was helpful and you got packed up for new ideas for your weekly menu! If you have a favorite recipe for baked chicken that I missed or a great serving suggestion, please let me know in the comments. I would love to check it out!

The BIG List of Baked Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best baking dish for chicken? ›

I would highly recommend always using a cake pan, especially when your goal is juicy chicken. With the higher edges you get more steam and it retains more juices. I use a glass Pyrex cake pan that I also recommend because it doesn't burn off the juices like a stainless steel or aluminum pan would.

What makes baked chicken taste better? ›

13 Ways To Make Roast Chicken Taste Way Better
  1. Brine, or dry brine, well before cooking. ...
  2. Coat it in a flavorful dry or wet rub. ...
  3. Make sure it's dry and at room temperature before cooking. ...
  4. Stuff the cavity with aromatics. ...
  5. Citrus, citrus, citrus. ...
  6. Rub butter under the skin. ...
  7. Marinate it in mayo. ...
  8. Spatchco*ck the bird.
Apr 13, 2023

What is the secret to cooking chicken? ›

To make baked chicken breasts moist and tender, here are some tips:
  • Brine the chicken: Soak the chicken breasts in a saltwater solution for 30 minutes to an hour before baking. ...
  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken: Cooking chicken breasts with the bone and skin helps preserve moisture and adds flavor.
Mar 21, 2023

Why is my baked chicken always tough? ›

Overcooking leads to dry, tough, sawdusty meat with nearly no flavor. High doneness temperature for food safety. Salmonella is the food safety enemy in chicken that dies only at higher temperatures. But cooking chicken breast to an instant thermal-kill doneness temperature will cause it to dry out excessively.

What is the best cooking method to keep chicken moist? ›

Sear and Bake

For chicken breast that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, employ the sear-and-bake method. Brown the outside of the meat on a pan then finish it off in the oven.

Is it better to bake chicken in a glass or aluminum pan? ›

Aluminum (nonstick or not) is an excellent choice for baking pans. They're lightweight and conduct heat well for even baking, and results will be better than baking with a glass pan because of this.

What should you season chicken with? ›

Aside from classics like salt, pepper, basil and garlic, you could try using chilli powder, ginger, cumin, cayenne, paprika, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Should you season chicken before baking? ›

Is it true that you should always season your meat ahead of time before grilling or baking so the spices can soak in and become part of your chicken or steak? Yes. You will retain more flavor this way.

Is it better to cover chicken when baking? ›

When chicken is covered while baking, it traps steam and moisture within the dish, resulting in juicier results. The covering helps prevent excessive evaporation and keeps the chicken moist throughout the cooking process. Preventing dryness. Chicken tends to dry out more quickly when exposed to direct heat.

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

How do I give chicken the best flavor? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

What not to do when cooking chicken? ›

The 4 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Chicken Breasts
  1. Going Boneless and Skinless. If we've said it once, we've said it a bazillion times: Don't go boneless or skinless. ...
  2. Skipping the Marinade (or Brine or Rub) Sure, they cook up quickly, but that doesn't mean you can't plan ahead. ...
  3. Poaching It.
Feb 25, 2016

Why is Walmart chicken rubbery? ›

Am I undercooking or overcooking it? You are not over or under cooking your chicken. The company who sells the chicken that go to market often inject a solution which adds weight to the chicken and when too much solution is injected it causes stringy and rubbery chicken after it is cooked.

Can you overcook chicken in oven? ›

Cooking chicken perfectly is all about getting the right temperature. If you cook it for too long, the meat can get too dry. If you cook it too fast, it might be uncooked in the middle. Take time to learn about the common mistakes you should avoid when cooking chicken breasts.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

Is it better to bake chicken in glass or metal? ›

So we asked a few of the best bakers in the biz what they prefer. And almost unanimously they said metal. It's lightweight, easy to maintain, and inexpensive, and it provides a more consistent and even bake.

Does chicken cook better in glass or metal? ›

In summary, metal pans are generally more suitable for baking chicken due to their superior heat conductivity, ability to achieve even browning, durability, and versatility. Glass pans, while suitable for certain dishes, may not provide the same level of performance and consistency when baking chicken.

What is the best pan for roasting chicken? ›

A cast iron skillet makes a fabulous roasting pan. For one, it's not an extra pan taking up space in the kitchen. I use my cast iron skillet for everything from roasting a whole chicken to sauting vegetables. Secondly, cast iron goes from countertop to oven seamlessly.

What is the best way to bake chicken covered or uncovered? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

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