Baked Red Pepper Chicken Breast with Citrus and Basil Recipe
A flavorful baked chicken breast recipe featuring roasted red peppers, fresh basil, and a citrus marinade of orange and lemon juice that keeps the chicken juicy and tender. Perfectly baked to 165°F, this dish is ideal served over rice or mashed potatoes with its delicious cooking juices spooned on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small squares
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 (12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into chunks
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves picked off the stems
Citrus Marinade
- ½ cup (120 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed preferred
- ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare oven and baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and set aside a 2-quart baking dish to use later.
- Prepare the chicken: Slice each chicken breast into 1-inch slices on an angle. Season all sides generously with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
- Prepare the peppers: Drain the jar of roasted red peppers and cut them into smaller chunks, roughly the size of basil leaves for even layering.
- Assemble the casserole: Scatter the minced garlic evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Pour half the orange juice and half the lemon juice over the garlic to create a flavorful base.
- Layer the ingredients: Starting from one corner of the baking dish, alternate layers of chicken slices, pieces of roasted red pepper, and fresh basil leaves. After layering, pour the remaining orange and lemon juice evenly over the assembled ingredients. Distribute small squares of butter on top of the chicken layers.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), about 20 to 30 minutes. This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and remains juicy.
- Serve: Serve the baked chicken hot, spooning the flavorful cooking liquid over the top. This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice for the best flavor in the marinade.
- Cutting the chicken breasts into slices helps them cook evenly and faster.
- The cooking juices are very flavorful—be sure to spoon them over the chicken when serving.
- Check doneness with a meat thermometer to ensure safe consumption without drying the meat.
- You can prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating, then baking when ready to serve.
