This split chicken breast is perfectly tender and juicy with the most delicious crispy skin. Roasted chicken breast flavored with the easiest homemade spice blend will have everyone asking for seconds!

Split Chicken Breast

Cooking split chicken breasts is surprisingly easy and it’s made with simple ingredients. Even though it’s easy to make, the results are completely delicious!

This bone-in, skin-on baked split chicken breast is seasoned with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder. It’s one of my family’s favorite seasoning blends, even the picky eaters give it two thumbs up.

I prefer cooking this at a higher temperature to get the crispiest skin and to make sure that the meat stays moist, juicy, and tender. Luckily, the skin and the bones insulate the chicken well so it doesn’t dry out while roasting. Plus, cooking it at a higher temperature makes the recipe quick and easy, and I love it when it doesn’t take long to get dinner on the table.

this …

Ingredients

Split Chicken Breasts: Split chicken breasts are a juicy cut of white meat that take on the flavors from the homemade spice blend so well. Bone-in chicken has more flavor and the skin crisps up beautifully while it cooks. Look for air chilled chicken because it releases less moisture during cooking, meaning the cooked chicken will be juicier and more tender.

Olive Oil: Olive oil is the fat we’re using to help the chicken skin brown and crisp up nicely. It also helps the spices stick to the skin better. Feel free to use melted butter, melted coconut oil, avocado oil, or even mayonnaise instead.

Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder: This blend of seasonings is savory, aromatic, smoky, herby, slightly sweet, and full of flavor. If you don’t want to make your own seasoning blend, try using an Herbs de Provence seasoning, taco seasoning, or a Cajun seasoning.

Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances all of the other flavors in this dish, and the slight heat of pepper balances out the rich flavors. Keep in mind that freshly cracked black pepper will be spicier than ground black pepper.

How To Cook Split Chicken Breast

Prep: Pat the split chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the skin crisp up in the oven. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)

Make the Seasoning: In a small bowl, stir together the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Season: Lightly coat each chicken breast with olive oil. Sprinkle a little seasoning on the underside, flip, then generously coat the skin side with the remaining seasoning. Press the spices firmly into the skin so they adhere well.

Arrange: Place the chicken breasts skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.

Bake and Rest: Transfer to the oven and roast until the skin is golden and crisp and the chicken is cooked through. The thickest part of the breast should register 165F without touching the bone. Remove from the oven, loosely tent with foil, and let rest before serving. See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, and helpful tips, etc.

Pro Tips

• Let the Chicken Rest at Room Temperature Briefly: When you let raw chicken rest at room temperature briefly before roasting, it takes the chill off, which helps the chicken cook more evenly. This is especially helpful with bone-in chicken. I’d only let it rest on the counter for 15 minutes, that’s really all you need. If you let it rest too long it can be a food safety risk. I also wouldn’t recommend doing this on a hot summer day.
• Dry the Skin Thoroughly: If the chicken skin is damp, it won’t crisp up. The only way to get delicious crispy skin is to make sure that it’s completely dried with paper towels.
• Check for Doneness: The best way to make sure your chicken is cooked perfectly is to use a digital instant read meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken without touching the bone. It should read 165F for fully cooked chicken.
• Rest Your Chicken: After removing your chicken from the oven, let it rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute through the meat, resulting in juicier chicken.
• Save the Leftovers: Don’t let any of this delicious chicken go to waste! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and make a great base for salads, sandwiches, or a quick protein addition to your favorite pasta dish.

What Is Split Chicken Breast?

A split chicken breast is a cut of meat where the breast has been split, or cut away, from the rest of the chicken. It is a larger cut than a boneless, skinless chicken breast.

Do Split Chicken Breasts Have Bones?

Yes, split chicken breasts still have the rib bones attached. The bones add a lot of flavor during the cooking process and help the chicken retain more moisture. That’s why many people prefer to cook the chicken with the bones in.

How Do You Split Chicken Breast?

Splitting a chicken breast refers to cutting a whole chicken breast into two halves. To do this, you’ll need a sharp knife and a steady hand. Place the whole chicken breast on a cutting board and hold it steady with one hand. With the other hand, carefully slice through the breastbone.

How Do You Remove The Bone From A Split Chicken Breast?

Removing the bone from a split chicken breast can seem tricky, but with a little patience, it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll need a sharp knife with a narrow blade. Start with the chicken skin side down. Place the knife at one end of the breast and carefully cut between the meat and the rib bone, keeping the knife as close to the bone as possible. Continue to cut along the bone, lifting the bone as you go, until the bone releases from the meat. 

What Side Dishes Pair Well with This Chicken Recipe?

This chicken dish is super versatile and can be paired with so many side dishes. Some of my favorites include:

• Velveeta Mac and Cheese
• Seasoned Rice
• Microwave Baked Potato
• Popeyes Biscuits
• Microwave Baked Sweet Potato
• Green Beans and Potatoes

Can I Freeze Cooked Chicken Breast?

Absolutely! Cooked chicken breast can be frozen for up to two months. Just be sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Keep In Touch

I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime

Pin this recipe for later!

Chicken Recipes

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other chicken recipes. Some reader favorites are:

• Garlic Chicken Pasta
• Crispy Baked Panko Chicken
• Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings
• Smothered Chicken
• Garlic Butter Chicken
• Chicken Tenderloins

I hope you and your family enjoy this split chicken breast recipe as much as we do!