This broiled chicken is perfectly seasoned, juicy on the inside, with a slightly crispy crust. The best part is that it is so quick and easy to make! 

pile of broiled chicken breast served on a white round plate

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There’s a whole lot you can do with chicken when it comes to a weeknight dinner. Get back to basics with baked chicken breasts, get fancy with spatchcock chicken, or please your kids with some crispy chicken strips. This easy broiled chicken recipe is another idea to add to your rotation!

Baking chicken under the broiler is a really fast, mess-free way to make chicken breasts. All you need is a baking sheet, some foil, and a broiler and you are ready to cook! I just love simple recipes like this that can help you make a healthy, tasty meal in minutes. 

(Looking for more family-friendly chicken recipes? Check out my 30 Best Chicken Breast Recipes!)

top down image of a plate of broiled chicken breasts

Easy Broiled Chicken Breast Recipe

The other thing I love about this broiled chicken is that it only uses seven simple ingredients. Chicken breast, olive oil, plus five spices that you probably already have in your pantry are all you need. There is no crazy prep work and no need to make a special trip to the store to make this recipe! (Although it’s made with basics, don’t take that to mean there is no flavor because, ohhhhh man, is this chicken flavorful!)

Baking chicken under a broiler is a great way to keep the chicken breast juicy and prevent it from drying out. The high heat of the broiler cooks the chicken quickly, sealing in the moisture and making it beautifully golden brown. I really think broiled chicken breast is going to become one of your favorite chicken recipes ever, although you should definitely try my Dutch Oven Chicken Breast too!

ingredients to make broiled chicken breast

Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. 

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Each chicken breast should be about eight ounces for this recipe. One chicken breast will make one serving of broiled chicken. 
  • Olive oil
  • Kosher salt – Kosher salt has bigger granules than table salt, which helps to bring out the moisture in the chicken and crisp the outside meat. 
  • Ground black pepper
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder – A simple sprinkle of garlic powder gives the chicken a pungent, spicy taste and some Italian flair.
  • Paprika – Paprika is a little sweet, a little smokey, and a little bit spicy. It adds a whole lot of flavor to the broiled chicken. 

Variations

  • Use Italian seasoning in place of onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. This makes a tasty, herb-flavored broiled chicken. 
  • Skip the ground black pepper and use chili powder instead for a spicy broiled chicken. 
  • Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts.

How to Make Broiled Chicken Breast

  1. Prep the broiler: Preheat your broiler to 500ºF and make sure the top rack of your oven is directly under it. You want the rack to only be about 3-4 inches away from the broiler in order to get that direct heat.
  2. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasonings stick to the chicken. Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally. Use a nice, sharp knife, which will make it easier to slice through the chicken Place the sliced chicken breasts on a foiled lined, greased, rimmed baking sheet tray. 
  3. Season the chicken: Mix the pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika in a small bowl. Brush the chicken breasts with half the olive oil, then sprinkle the chicken with half of the seasoning mix. Flip the chicken breasts and brush the other side with olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining seasoning. 
  4. Broil the chicken: Place the tray of chicken under the broiler and cook for 4 minutes, remove the tray, flip the chicken and broil for another 3 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven and let the chicken sit for 2-3 minutes to cool before serving.
broiled chicken breast cut with a knife to show the cross section served on a white round plate with a side of fried potato wedges

Quick Tip

After the chicken has cooked, sprinkle some cheddar, Monterey Jack or feta cheese over it and return it to the broiler for one minute to melt and brown the cheese. Cheesy broiled chicken is an easy way to please even the pickiest eaters!

How to Store Broiled Chicken

If you have leftover broiled chicken, place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. Cooked chicken will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. 

To reheat the broiled chicken, you can simply pop it in the microwave and heat it for 1-2 minutes. The chicken will be juicy and delicious for days after cooking! 

Serving Suggestions

There are so many amazing side dishes that go well with this broiled chicken breast; the simplicity of the spices lets you pair it with almost anything. Broiled chicken, creamed spinach and some crispy smashed potatoes sounds like a perfect meal. Chicken and mac and cheese is always a family favorite in my house. Or you can keep the meal simple and healthy with some roasted asparagus. So many choices! 

FAQs

Is it better to bake or broil chicken?

Broiling is great for thin cuts of meat and fish that cook quickly. If you have a thicker chicken breast, you may want to bake it. But the broiler will work best when you are quickly cooking those thin pieces of meat.

How do you keep chicken moist when broiling?

Be sure to brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil before baking. Also, only broil the chicken for 7-8 minutes max. The longer the chicken is under the broiler, the drier it will get. Cook it until the internal temperature is 165ºF and then do not cook it any longer!

Is broiled chicken good for you?

Broiled chicken is pretty healthy. It is not cooked in excess oil or with too many sugary, calorie filled marinades. A little bit of lean olive oil and some simple spices gives the broiled chicken flavor, but keeps it healthy.

More Chicken Recipes

Broiled Chicken Recipe

This broiled chicken is perfectly seasoned, juicy on the inside, with a slightly crispy crust. It's a healthy dinner your whole family will love!
5 from 1 vote
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 4 8 ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions 

  • Preheat your broiler to 500 degrees. The top rack should be about 4-5 inches from the broiler's heating element.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet tray with foil. Grease the foil with a little olive oil.
  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Then, cut each chicken breast in half horizontally.
  • Place each piece of chicken breast on the greased tray with the cut side facing upward. You should have eight pieces of chicken on the tray, evenly spaced.
  • Brush the chicken breasts with half the olive oil using a pastry brush. 
  • In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika.
  • Sprinkle half the seasoning mix over the chicken breasts. Then, flip each chicken breast over, brush them with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the rest of the seasoning mix.
  • Place the seasoned chicken under the hot broiler and cook for 3 minutes. Remove the tray from the broiler, flip each piece of chicken and then broil again for another 4 minutes. The chicken should be slightly browned and the internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
  • Take the tray of broiled chicken out of the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices of the chicken stay inside the chicken breast.
  • Serve the chicken while warm!

Notes

  • If you do not have a pastry brush, you can always spray the chicken with olive oil baking spray instead. This is a quick and easy way to grease the chicken breasts. 
  • Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix to make spicy broiled chicken.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 846mg | Potassium: 868mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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