There are few homecooked dishes that deliver quite like an old fashioned oven-baked chicken. Chicken is so versatile that it can take on flavors from any sauce or rub — the only trick is finding the right one. We picked out a few for you to check out along with some valuable cooking tips to make your chicken dinner a winner.

Tips To Bake The Perfect Chicken

If you’ve ever fallen victim to a dried-out chicken breast, you're not alone. Just about everyone has been in a situation in which you follow the instructions perfectly, and yet the result is bland and leaves you wanting... anything else. To keep chicken moist and flavorful, try these tips:

Season It

While this might seem obvious, you’d be surprised at how many home cooks neglect seasoning their chicken. Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder can go a long way when it comes to seasoning chicken before it goes in the oven. If you want something spicier or brighter than salt and pepper, there are plenty of pre-packaged seasoning blends you can choose from at the store.

Consider Leaving The Skin On

If you are constantly drying out baked chicken, you may want to consider leaving the skin on. Consumers have gotten accustomed to being afraid of fat, but fat contains a lot of flavor and it tends to keep meat and poultry moist. A boneless skinless chicken breast contains the least amount of fat compared to other cuts, which is why it’s so easy to dry out. If more fat is the route want to take, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are a flavorful alternative to breasts because they're fattier, juicier, and therefore tastier.

Use A Digital Meat Thermometer

Most of us have made this mistake in an attempt to bake a chicken breast: The chicken looks done on the outside, but when you slice into the chicken breast it's still dangerously pink on the inside. Some people are great at eyeballing chicken for doneness, but we suggest not leaving that to chance and using an instant-read thermometer. It eliminates any guessing as to whether meat has reached a safe internal temperature. For chicken, it should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Let It Rest

This tip goes for almost all cuts of meat — not just chicken. When you take meat out of the oven, allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Letting it rest allows the meat reabsorb some of the moisture that would normally be lost when it's cut immediately after cooking.

10 Baked Chicken Recipes You’ll Want to Make Again and Again

To spice up this week’s dinner menu, these are some of the best chicken recipes to add to the meal prep line-up.

Easy Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs with Perfectly Crispy Skin

Easy Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs with Perfectly Crispy Skin by Amusing Foodie
One Yummly user review of this recipe was simply: "👍🏻👍🏻 was delicious 🤤." If that's not enough to get you to try this recipe, consider its simplicity. Seasoned with just sea salt, pepper, olive oil, and parsley, these chicken thighs take just a few minutes to prep before popping them in the oven for 50 minutes while you make the side dishes to lure your family to the table.

Extra Crispy Baked Wings

Extra Crispy Baked Wings by My Gorgeous Recipes
This recipe is similarly simple as the one above, but these wings are more for game day celebrations and parties than weeknight meals. They're seasoned with just salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, but there are a couple tricks the author uses to get these wings extra crispy. Check out the recipe if you want to learn some cooking magic!

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Parmesan Crusted Chicken by Once Upon A Chef
If you need a kid-pleaser, this light take on chicken parm might be something to try. With parmesan, bread crumbs, and fresh herbs, this dish will satisfy adult Italian cravings while its resemblance to chicken fingers will win over the kids. Serve alongside garlic butter mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or a big salad for a weeknight dinner.

Tandoori Roasted Chicken

Tandoori Roasted Chicken by Yummly
It's hard to tame cravings for subcontinent spice. For those occasions, let us present to you this recipe for tandoori chicken. One caveat: It is more involved than a regular roasted chicken. While it doesn't take much effort to prep it, you do have to let it marinate in yogurt and tandoori masala spice mix for 24 hours before cooking. But trust us, it's worth the wait.

Spanish-Style Chicken Bake

Spanish-Style Chicken Bake by Hairy Bikers World
On a bed of onions, potatoes, paprika, and chorizo, these chicken thighs soak up the flavors in one hour for a one-pan meal. It's a meal that's filling but not heavy and it's easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner. And with just one pan to clean, it's great for families with busy schedules.

Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders

Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders by Well Plated
Salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami — these chicken tenders hit all the five tastes if you're looking to up your flavor game. A quick marinade imparts the flavor while a panko bread crumb coating gives them texture. Serve them at a party as an appetizer or make them the centerpiece of your family dinner, you can't got wrong with these tenders.

Tapenade Baked Chicken

Tapenade Baked Chicken by Serious Eats
We all love an easy recipe and this one is just that. The chicken thighs are smothered in olive tapenade and herbs for a delightfully simple chicken that's ready in just 30 minutes. Serve with simple potatoes and roasted broccoli for a well-balanced meal.

Chicken Croquettes

Chicken Croquettes by Food From Portugal
This recipe transforms chicken into creamy bites no one can say no to. Basically, cooked chicken is pulsed in the food processor and then shaped into nuggets and pan-fried. It's a bit of work, but they'll take the work out of coaxing your kids to the dinner table. Serve as a main dish, a party appetizer, or a snack, these guys will not disappoint.

Sundried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Sundried Tomato, Spinach, and Cheese Stuffed Chicken by Yammie's Noshery
Don't be fooled by the deliciously complicated-looking photo, this stuffed chicken is easy to make. Most of the effort goes into butterflying the chicken breasts and then it's all about stuffing them with sundried tomatoes, spinach, and cheese. They make a meal all on their own, but you can supplement them with a light salad or a simple pasta.

Crunchy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Crunchy Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders by As Easy As Apple Pie
Panko and parmesan are what turn this chicken into an irresistible meal. These oven-baked chicken breasts are first marinated in yogurt overnight, then baked with a variety of seasonings. For a healthy chicken salad, place atop a Caesar salad or arugula with a drizzle of olive oil and your meal is made.

Craving More Baked Chicken Recipes

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