Fast & Easy Baked Chicken Thighs or Breast
If you need some chicken quick, this recipe will help you out. You don’t have to pound the chicken as described. However, it will help the chicken cook faster and more evenly. Some of my favorite herbs/spices include: rosemary and Herbs de Provence. I recommend using tongs to move the chicken from place to place to avoid contaminating your hands and other parts of the kitchen with chicken and chicken juices that have the potential to carry salmonella. I also strongly recommend using a quick read kitchen thermometer for meats to ensure they are properly cooked.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts or thighs in the amount you need
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- Other herbs/spices you desire optional
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
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Using tongs, place the chicken in a plastic bag and squeeze the air out when you seal it (or cover it with plastic wrap)
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Take a rolling pin and bash the chicken until they are an even thickness (I usually get the thicker parts even with the thinner parts meaning I don’t bash the thinner parts, only the thicker ones; the plastic bag/wrap is to keep chicken juices from splattering everywhere as you bash away)
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Using tongs, remove the chicken from the bag/wrap
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Place on a plate or in a bowl
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Drizzle 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the chicken
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Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and herbs/spices on the chicken
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Toss with tongs; if you need to add more oil, salt, pepper, or spices do so
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Using the tongs, place the chicken in a baking dish
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Place the chicken in the oven and cook for 10 minutes
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Using tongs, turn the chicken and continue to cook until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F for chicken breast and 165-175 degrees F for chicken thighs
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Remove from the oven and cover with foil
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Let rest for 5 minutes
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Serve and enjoy!