How-To Cook Perfect Chicken Breasts

When I'm planning for a party I like to start with a recipe or idea and then break that down into things that I can do ahead of time.  This lessens party-day stress without compromising quality.  

Today, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite recipes for baked chicken breasts.

First up, we're going to go over everything you need to know to make moist, juicy and delicious chicken breasts EVERY TIME and then, how to make ahead a delicious hoagie with your chicken breasts. Let's get started!

I like to begin with good quality chicken breasts and prep them per the recipe below so that I have them on hand on party day.  

Whether I'm using chicken for an everyday meal or for a party my favorite way to make them ahead of time is to bake them in the oven.  This method always leaves the chicken moist and delicious and you can season it accordingly for the recipe you'll be using it in or leave it as is and season later.

Moist and Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts

🥘 Ingredients This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions as well as nutritional information can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

• Fresh Chicken Breasts
• Olive oil
• Salt, pepper, seasonings of choice

You'll also need a baking dish and parchment paper

📋Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. The full recipe and instructions as well as nutritional information can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

If baking ahead let cool slightly before storing. Since I was using my chicken in the hoagie recipe below I let it cool slightly and then sliced it before refrigerating.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Make Ahead Chicken Breast Hoagies

Now to make our hoagies! 

Ingredients:

1 large loaf of Italian bread

1 garlic clove cut in half lengthwise

½ cup olive oil

Cold sliced chicken, (prepared as above)

Fresh basil leaves

Fresh mozzarella ball, sliced

Fresh tomatoes, sliced

Pitted olives, cut in half

Instructions:

Cut the loaf of Italian break in half lengthwise.

Rub the cut edge of the garlic clove over the inside of the bread, one side only.

Drizzle the same side with olive oil.Arrange the chicken on top of the bread.

Place basil leaves, mozzarella slices, tomatoes and olives on top of the chicken.

At this point you can wrap the hoagie tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve it or slice it and serve immediately.

This is a family favorite and a great sandwich to serve at parties.  You can round it out with a Pasta Feta Salad, this Layered Pea Salad, or this Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip.

How To Cook Perfect Chicken Breasts from Cupcakes and Crinoline

Ingredients:

Fresh Chicken Breasts

Olive oil

Salt, pepper, seasonings of choice

You'll also need a baking dish and parchment paper

Directions:

Heat oven to 400°F. 
Season bottom of the baking pan with olive oil.

Pat chicken dry and place in baking dish leaving space in between each piece.  Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and seasons desired.

Lightly brush parchment paper with olive oil and place over chicken breasts tucking in on all sides. 
Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.  Start checking your chicken after 20 minutes and then check every  5 to 10 minutes thereafter until the proper temperature is reached.  The time it takes to bake the chicken will depend on how thick each piece is. The Tyson Fresh Chicken Breasts I used took approximately 35 minutes to bake. 
If baking ahead let cool slightly before storing. 

Since I was using my chicken in the hoagie recipe below I let it cool slightly and then sliced it before refrigerating.

Make Ahead Hoagies

Ingredients:

1 large loaf of Italian bread

1 garlic clove cut in half lengthwise

½ cup olive oil

Cold sliced chicken, (Tyson® Fresh Chicken prepared as above)

Fresh basil leaves

Fresh mozzarella ball, sliced

Fresh tomatoes, sliced

Pitted olives, cut in half

Instructions:

Cut the loaf of Italian break in half lengthwise.

Rub the cut edge of the garlic clove over the inside of the bread, one side only.

Drizzle the same side with olive oil.

Arrange the chicken on top of the bread.

Place basil leaves, mozzarella slices, tomatoes and olives on top of the chicken.

At this point you can wrap the hoagie tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve it or slice it and serve immediately.

Enjoy!