Baked & Grilled Chicken Breast

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp brown sugar, packed
   
• 1½ tsp paprika
   
• 1 tsp dried oregano, (or thyme, parsley, rosemary)
   
• 1 tsp salt, (use seasoned salt, Adobo or chicken salt for extra flavour)
   
• ½ tsp garlic powder
   
• ½ tsp onion powder
   
• ¼ tsp cracked black pepper, to taste
   
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, to taste, for a little zing)
   
• 3-4 large chicken breasts
   
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
   
• 3 tsp salted butter
   
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
   
• 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley (dried parsley is fine as well)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F / 220°C (standard ovens) or 390°F / 200°C (fan forced or convection ovens).
    
2. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound each chicken breast to 0.8-inch (2cm) at the thickest part. Make sure your fillets are all the same thickness to ensure even cooking.
    
3. Combine sugar, paprika, oregano, salt, powders, and peppers (if using).
    
4. Line a baking 13" x 9" baking pan or pyrex dish with aluminum foil. Transfer chicken to the pan and toss chicken in the seasoning.
    
5. Drizzle with the oil and rub seasoning all over to evenly coat front and back of each piece.
    
6. Place chicken in the oven and set a timer for 16-18 min.
    
7. After chicken is in the oven, in a small skillet or pan melt the butter, and sauté garlic until fragrant (30 seconds). Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
    
8. Pour the butter/garlic sauce from the pan over the chicken.
    
9. Continue to bake (usually 18 min) until internal temperature is 155°F using a meat thermometer. It should be golden with crisp edges.
   • WARNING: CHICKEN IS NOT DONE YET!
      
10. Turn the oven up to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden and crisp, and internal temp is at least 165-170°F.
     
11. Remove pan from oven, transfer chicken to serving plates and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
     
12. Drizzle pan juices over the chicken and garnish with freshly chopped parsley (optional).