• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Nourished not Famished

Real-life healthy changes, made simple and delicious.

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • One Pan Dinners
    • Breakfast
    • Salads & Side Dishes
    • Soups & Stews
    • Snacks
    • Sauce/Dressing/Spices
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
  • Real Food, Real Health
    • Why Real Food works
    • Getting Started
    • Meal Prep/Meal Planning Tips
    • The Other 3: Sleep, Stress Relief, & Movement
  • About
  • Contact
  • My Favorite Things
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

Simple Roasted Chicken Breasts

By Jen

Crispy, flavorful skin + juicy, tender inside = roasted chicken perfection

Basic, easy, yet simply amazing

Sometimes going the basic route can yield the most stunning results. Like the classic “little black dress”. Or like this simply seasoned roasted chicken.

This straighforward, easy-peasy recipe will help you churn out reliably tender, juicy, delicious chicken breasts every time.

  • This roasted chicken is the perfect anchor for a classic “Sunday dinner” kind of meal, with the usual pairings of roasted potatoes and savory vegetables.
  • It’s also a perfect way to batch prep a big pile of chicken to set yourself up for some easy meals during the week. Shred it, chop it, leave it whole – whatever way works for you.
  • Grab your spice blend.
  • Rub it on, and under
    the skin.
  • Roast at 375 degrees.

What you’ll need

  • Chicken. (Obvs, I know.) For this recipe, select bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Yes, even if you have no intention of eating the crispy, delicious skin (you probably won’t be able to resist that part, just saying). Bone-in, skin on chicken breasts deliver far superior results – tender, juicy, flavorful. So, please just put down those boneless, skinless chicken breasts, okay? You can just remove the skin very easily after cooking if you want to avoid it. This type of chicken is typically labeled “split chicken breasts”.
  • Roast Rub/Spices Okay, you can do your thang here, and choose whatever spices and herbs you like to use on chicken. Feel free to try out my classic, roasted chicken spice blend recipe if you’re looking for a blend to try. Or keep it super basic with simply salt and pepper. Whatever blend you decide to use, please make sure it includes salt. Salt not only significantly enhances the flavor of your chicken, it also helps tenderize it, yielding juicy, succulent chicken. If you are able to salt (and/or add your spice blend) your chicken ahead of time, go for it. The longer you allow the salt to work its magic, the better the results.
  • A roasting pan or sheet pan I usually use a large, heavy gauge rimmed baking sheet for this. I typically include intentional extra on the pan, to ensure I have plenty extra to stash away as “batch prep gold” to use for several days. Whatever amount of chicken you decide to roast, make sure you do not crowd the pan. Give the breasts a lil’ bit of breathing room. This will insure that lovely, crispy roasted texture you’re going for (instead of soft, squishy steamed chicken which is the result of cramming too much chicken in the pan).
  • A meat thermometer, preferrably instant read Okay, I’ll be honest. This is OPTIONAL. And you may be fine without it if you have Julia-Childs-level kitchen skills and can tell the exact moment when your chicken has been cooked to perfection. I know my own current culinary limits and I’m not at that level just yet. That’s why I love using a meat thermometer to take the guess work out of it. I’ve had a good experience so far with this meat thermometer, the Javelin from Lavatools.

But wait, there’s more

Don’t throw away those chicken bones. Once you are done picking the cooked chicken off the bones, store those bones in the fridge or freezer. They are the perfect starter for homemade chicken broth! If that sounds like a colossal task, I am happy to tell that making broth is quite the opposite. It’s actually pretty straightforward and easy. If you have an Instant Pot, try out my super easy Instant Pot Chicken Broth recipe.

I’d love to know if you give this a try, and how you incorporated it into your meals throughout the week!

Print Recipe
Simple Roasted Chicken Breasts
Course Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
  • "split" chicken breasts (bone-in, skin on) Use whatever amount you like. I find that a 3lb or so package fits nicely on my 12"x18" baking sheet.
  • spice blend, including salt
  • oil (olive oil, avocado oil, etc.) optional, for drizzling
Course Main Dishes
Servings
Ingredients
  • "split" chicken breasts (bone-in, skin on) Use whatever amount you like. I find that a 3lb or so package fits nicely on my 12"x18" baking sheet.
  • spice blend, including salt
  • oil (olive oil, avocado oil, etc.) optional, for drizzling
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Arrange the breasts on the baking sheet evenly. Do not overcrowd.
  3. Sprinkle and rub with whatever seasoning you are using. Try to rub some of the spices and salt under the skin, and also rub it on the outside, all over. Optional: drizzle with oil.
  4. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or so, until it internal temperature hits 165F in the thickest part of the breast (approximately when the juices run clear).
  5. Remove from oven, and let chicken "rest" for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This will help the chicken retain its juices (instead of running out into the pan).

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: batch cooking, chicken, meal prep

Primary Sidebar

About Me:

Hi, I’m Jen, and welcome to Nourished Not Famished. Here you’ll find recipes, meal ideas, and wellness tips to thrive without deprivation or restriction. I like to keep healthy changes simple, and grounded in a real-life approach (the secret to making it stick!).  Find out about more about me here, and how you can work with me!

Get updates via email

* indicates required
Website sign up

Searching for something in particular?


Instagram

🍋 Greek-inspired Shrimp Bowls! Ready for someth 🍋 Greek-inspired Shrimp Bowls! Ready for something fresh, citrus-y, crisp, and cool? 🌞 Lemon, feta, and dill bring a bright, herb-y tang to this nourishing and tasty lunch (or dinner). Hit save to make this one soon!

When life gets busy, it's easy to let meals go by the wayside. Keep your energy levels up and your mental focus dialed in by packing your plate with foods that *satisfy* and boost your energy: 
protein, healthy fats, veggies (and/or fruits) and slow-acting starchy carbs. 

Quick and easy gets the job done! This lunch (or dinner) is mostly a no-cook meal, except for the starchy side (which came from my meal prep - see deets below). .
#whatsonmyplate (each serving)
➡️ thawed pre-cooked shrimp
➡️ about a half cup chickpeas
➡️ cucumbers and cherry tomatoes
➡️ about 2 tbsps feta
➡️ 1 tbsp EVOO
➡️ about 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
➡️ fresh lemon juice, salt & pepper, and a dash of za'atar spice
➡️ about a half cup (already cooked) quinoa (hiding underneath)
.
.
#fastfood #balancedplate #powerplate #poweryourplate #poweryourlife #simplenutrition #nourished #lunch #whatsfordinner #nourishednotfamished #ditchthediet #protein #fat #carbs #slowcarbs #recipe #mealprep #honoryourhunger #batchcooking 
.
.
.
.
.
So, you're feeling motivated to make some healthy So, you're feeling motivated to make some healthy changes. Yay, You! 🎉👏👏👏 The secret to making it all happen is . . . there is no secret. The unsexy truth is real change happens (and sticks!) through long-term consistency with the basics.

Nope, the Six-Week Shred plan isn't the magic bullet some huckster is trying to tell you it is. 

It's all about practicing the basics, with a focus on *making them happen in a way that works for you today, this week, this month*. 

And knowing that "what works right now" will change over time.

That's where the Practice Mindset helps! 👇
1️⃣ Practice a small change for a set period of time.
2️⃣ Next, pause and reflect: How did it go? What worked, what didn't, and why?
3️⃣ Proceed if it's working, or Pivot if needed (tweak the change to better fit your life).

Those unsexy basics to practice?
👉Eat more whole (or minimally refined) foods,.and less of the highly refined stuff. (Notice that I didn't say "none"?)
👉Balance your plate at meals with protein, healthy fats, and carbs. Keep it colorful, with plenty of plants in the mix.
👉 Sleep, rest, recover.
👉 Do what you can to manage stress.
👉 Move your body daily (walking is great!). Build your strength. #makesomemuscle
👉 Spend some time doing fun things that help you connect with yourself. #selfcare
👉 Get outdoors. Natural light, Vitamin D, fresh air, and nature are key. (You are a living thing, remember? 😉)
👉 Connect with people and experiences that nourish you.

Hit up my blog (link in bio @nourished.not.famished ) for ideas, tips, and resources to help you get cracking on practicing those unsexy basics. 😘

Which of these basics is your practice priority right now? How's it going?
.
.
#makeitstick #tinyhabits #healthyhabits #practicenotperfection #nourishednotfamished #skillpower NOT #willpower
#changeskills #eatingskills #kitchenskills #balancedplate #simplenutrition #movement #sleep #stressrelief #ditchthediet  #resistancetraining #strength #metabolichealth #fitover40 #fitover50
.
.
.
.
Reminder📣. . . these un-sexy, SIMPLE basics ge Reminder📣. . .  these un-sexy, SIMPLE basics get the job done! Not just during the holidays, but *all year long*. And simple is just what you need right now, isn't it?

Why do they work? 
👉 Because all of these habits focus on *giving yourself what you need to thrive*. 🌱 

I invite you to try this:
👉Spend a few months TRULY practicing these simple habits most of the time. Start with just one, or a few (✨Start small, and add as you feel ready.✨)
👉TIP: Sleep is a great one to start with, because it's the foundation that holds up everything else. 

As you practice these habits, pause and observe:
🤔How do I feel? 
🤔How am I performing, physically and mentally? 
🤔How is my energy?
🤔How do my clothes fit?
🤔How have my longer-term health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels changed?

If you truly desire healthy changes that
✔️feel sustainable
✔️ yield results
✔️ and STICK,
stop relying on willpower!

🌟Focus your efforts on *meeting your needs*, rather than restricting and depriving.🌟
.
Stay in a groove with these habits this month, and you might just discover come January 1st that you feel ready to tackle the new year, no over-the-top diet and intense workout plans necessary! 

👉By then, you'll have already established the habits you need that let your biology work for you for optimal wellness, instead of relying so heavily on willpower.👈

Who's with me?! Will you be KISS-ing your way through the holiday season?? 

#mistletoe #healthyhabits #nourishednotfamished #tinyhabits #atomichabits #wellness #healthy #balancedplate #sleep #stressrelief #circadianrhythm #movement #everythingisconnected #holidays #december #protein #veggies #christmas #nourished #honoryourhunger #ditchthediet #fitover40 #fitover50
The most delicious form of self care: meal prep. 💕 (See stories for deets on this Turmeric Pepper Chicken & Asparagus!) 

During this busy holiday season, your needs often end up on the back burner. 
Which can leave you feeling hangry, exhausted, and ravenous by the end of the day. 
(You know, that feeling when you walk in the door and dive head-first into the bag of chips? #beentheredonethat 🤷‍♀️)

Packing up a few nourishing lunches is a surefire way to boost your midday energy during the week, and leaves you feeling *satisfied* at lunchtime. 

👉 You don't have to make fancy, fussy recipes.
👉 Instead, keep it simple & balanced by packing a lunch container of some protein, fat, carbs, and veggies and/or fruit. Leftover dinner is a great shortcut! 
👉 If takeout is part of your lunch plan, be strategic about ordering meals that will actually nourish you (yup, that means protein, fat, carbs, and veggies and/or fruit).

Is lunch a pain point for you, too?

Would you love the convenience of having it all ready ahead of time?

✨For lunch ideas 
and my top picks for leakproof lunch containers, 
check out my website at link in my bio @nourished.not.famished ✨

Head to "My Favorite Things" section of my site for my top container picks! 

#lunch #whatsforlunch #realfoodfastfood #mealprep #balancedplate #simplenutrition #ditchthediet #tinyhabits
#healthyhabits #poweryourlife #eatingskills #kitchenskills #plantforward #omnivore #fitover40 #fitover50 
.
.
.
.

Copyright © 2023 · Nourished Not Famished