Print

Simple Plain Chicken Recipe Easy Juicy Oven-Baked Tailgate Favorite

simple plain chicken recipe - featured image

A quick and easy oven-baked chicken recipe that yields juicy, tender, and flavorful chicken with minimal ingredients and fuss. Perfect for tailgates, family dinners, or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on recommended; thighs or drumsticks preferred, breasts optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to help skin crisp up.
  3. Place chicken in a mixing bowl and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
  4. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper over the chicken. If using, add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. Toss again to distribute seasonings.
  5. Arrange chicken pieces skin-side up on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, spacing pieces to allow air circulation.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes (30 minutes for breasts), until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes if skin is not crispy enough, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning for crispy skin. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). If skin browns too fast, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking. Broil briefly for extra crispy skin. Adjust baking time for skinless chicken by reducing 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: oven baked chicken, simple chicken recipe, juicy chicken, tailgate chicken, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken thighs, baked chicken drumsticks