This 6-ingredient garlic basil chicken is juicy, tender, and packed full of delicious flavors. It is simple to make, and while I baked mine in the oven, it can be grilled for that perfect summer vibe. This is a foolproof chicken breast recipe you will enjoy making all year long.
Love basil? Make this baked basil pesto chicken and tomato basil pasta.

I love how easily this recipe comes together. The marinade for this chicken has only two main ingredients: basil, and garlic. Both ingredients are fresh, which makes a lot of difference in flavor. I used chicken breast for this recipe, but you can use any cut of chicken you prefer.
Chicken breast is a staple in my house, and I like to spice it up with different marinades for variety. Basil garlic chicken marinade is perfect for days you are craving a vibrant and bold meal without breaking the bank or going above budget. You will love this one!
Related recipes: garlic chicken thighs, garlic herb chicken, and Italian dressing chicken.
Why you will love this recipe
- You only need a handful of ingredients you may already have on hand.
- It is quick to prep and can be ready under 40 minutes. The marinade is made in the food processor, which takes about a minute or two to come to the right consistency.
- Ready in no time: This chicken was ready in 30 minutes, but it can be quicker if you use chicken cutlets and cook it on the stove grill as I did with my Mexican chicken breast.
- This baked chicken breast is delicious in the best possible way. The aroma from your kitchen while it is baking is irresistible. The chicken stays juicy and flavorful even after being baked in the oven. You can also grill it for that perfect charred taste.
Garlic Basil Chicken marinade ingredients
Fresh basil leaves: These add a delicious herbaceous flavor to the marinade. Make sure to use fresh basil instead of dried for the best results.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic gives this dish a bold and pungent flavor. I used 6 large cloves for the marinade, but feel free to adjust to taste.
Olive oil: This serves as a base for the marinade and helps all the other ingredients blend
Boneless skinless chicken breast: substitute with boneless chicken thighs and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Paprika: This is optional, but I like to add it for a bit of color. For a smoky flavor, substitute with smoked paprika.
Onion granules: I only used about a teaspoon for additional but you can definitely make this recipe without it.
Salt and black pepper
Red chili flakes for heat. Omit this if you prefer.
How to make garlic basil chicken
Preheat the oven to 450F /225F.
In a food processor, combine basil leaves and garlic cloves and pulse briefly until combined.
Add olive oil, paprika, onion granules, chili flakes, salt, and pepper and blend until fully combined.
Place the chicken breasts in a shallow oven-safe baking dish or resealable plastic bag (if marinating longer)
Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts and make sure they are evenly coated.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
Bake the chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165F/73C with a meat thermometer. There is no need to flip the chicken.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 3-5 minutes for the juice to redistribute back into the chicken.
Serve and enjoy.
Watch how to make it
Tips and variations
- Make sure the chicken is similar in size. That way, they cook evenly.
- Make crisscross incisions in the chicken to allow the marinade to penetrate better. This may also help the chicken cook faster.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch and store individual portions in the fridge or freezer for later use.
- Add lemon juice to the marinade for a tangy twist.
- For different flavor profiles, experiment with herbs such as oregano, tarragon, thyme, or parsley instead of basil.
How to serve
There are many ways to serve this versatile chicken. I like to serve it with easy vegetable fried rice, mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, in a wrap, and many other things.
How to store
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
More chicken breast recipes you will love
Dutch oven chicken breast and tomatoes
Air fryer frozen chicken breast
Spinach stuffed chicken breast
Garlic Basil Chicken
Ingredients
- 2.2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 20 g fresh basil leaves or as needed
- 6 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion granules
- Salt and black pepper to taste I used about 1 teaspoon each
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F / 220C
- In a food processor, combine basil leaves and garlic cloves and pulse briefly until combined.Add olive oil, paprika, onion granules, chili flakes, salt, and pepper and blend until fully combined.
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow oven-safe baking dish or resealable plastic bag (if marinating longer)
- Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts and mix to combine, making sure they are evenly coated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap or seal the bag, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Bake the chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165F/73C with a meat thermometer. There is no need to flip the chicken.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 3-5 minutes for the juice to redistribute back into the chicken. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- It is essential to cook the chicken breast to an internal temperature of 160F/70C at least before taking it out of the oven. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165F while it is resting.
- If you are using large chicken breast that is more than 200g (7oz / 0.4lb), then you should pound it a bit to flatten it so it cooks quickly and evenly. The chicken breast will become dry when overcooked.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious baked chicken breast recipe you can make at home in no time. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 stars and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram, Facebook and save it to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
Stewball says
Are we talking about a large breast or a few schnitzels? I sounds delicious.
Ajoke says
Hi stewball, I used 5 chicken breasts and each weighed about 200g-ish (0.4lb)