Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breast

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp butter, room temperature
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Freshly cracked pepper
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, mash the butter with the parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly cracked pepper, using about 15 cranks of a pepper mill, until it comes together as a thick, spreadable paste.
2. If the thickest side of either chicken breast is more than 3/4", set the chicken on a cutting board, lay plastic over the top, and gently flatten that thicker side until it measures between 1/2-3/4". Blot the chicken with a paper towel so the surface is dry.
3. Arrange the chicken breasts on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish without crowding them; you want a couple of inches of room between the pieces and around each one. Coat the top of each breast with the garlic herb butter.
4. Transfer the chicken to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Because breast size and thickness affect the timing, check with a meat thermometer and make sure the thickest end reads 165ºF.
5. When the chicken is cooked through, rest it for about 5 minutes, then slice and serve.