I’m not sure who it was, but someone in the house brought home “Everything but the Bagel” spice blend during a trip to Trader Joe’s. It sat on the counter for weeks before I put it to use. With a couple of chicken breasts in the fridge and hungry folks in the house, I quickly doused the chicken with lemon, scattered on the seasoning, and popped it into the toaster oven. Thirty-ish minutes later, Baked Everything Chicken was born and has been in regular rotation ever since. When I made it on Instagram recently, it generated so much interest, I figured it was worth sharing here.
What is in Everything Seasoning?
In essence, Everything seasoning is all the spices you’ll find on an everything bagel, notably salt, garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. While Trader Joe’s may have pioneered the bottled blend, it’s now available elsewhere. My friend Gaby Dalkins even developed a version of her own, charmingly named “This is Everything” and sold at Williams-Sonoma.
If you want to make your own seasoning at home, this recipe over on Two Peas and their Pod may come in handy.
How to Make Baked Everything Chicken
Beyond how tasty this chicken is, it’s also a snap to make.
- Start with two chicken breasts, which tend to run about 3/4 of a pound each. The size isn’t particularly important, though it will affect how much seasoning you use and the cooking time.
- Squeeze the juice of a lemon over the chicken.
- Scatter three tablespoons of the seasoning over the surface of the chicken.
- Bake at 350 degrees until just cooked through.
- Leave the chicken to rest for five to 10 minutes before serving.
How to Tell Chicken is Cooked
One of the upsides to the recipe is that it calls for skinless chicken breasts, which are very low in saturated fat and calories while also a good source of protein. Because the breast meat has so little fat, cooking it just right is key (nobody wants dry, overcooked chicken!).
The most foolproof tool for perfectly cooked chicken breasts is an instant-read thermometer. I recently bought this Polder one and have been really happy with it. Simply insert it into the thickest part of the breast. When it registers between 155 degrees, it’s done. Leave it to rest for at least five minutes, during which time the internal temperature will increase.
If you don’t have an thermometer, you can check for doneness by inserting the tip of a knife in the thickest part of the meat to see that the juices run clear. Alternatively, make a little cut in the center of a breast and check that the meat is no longer pink.
What do you Serve with Baked Chicken?
I consider this chicken a great dinner staple. Feel free to double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd or so you have leftovers for packing in lunch boxes. The options for what to serve on the side are endless, but here are a few starter ideas:
- Make a generous salad to serve alongside the sliced chicken. The contents can vary by season: crunchy lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer, dark leafy greens, apples, and toasted nuts during the colder months, for example.
- Go traditional and serve a starchy side, such as brown rice or baked potatoes along with whatever vegetable is in season.
- Slice the chicken fairly thin and make it the foundation for a sandwich night. Turn up the fun factor by setting up a DIY sandwich bar.
What are Other Uses for ‘Everything’ Seasoning?
As for what to do with that leftover Everything seasoning, it’s excellent sprinkled on avocado toast, sliced tomatoes, cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, hummus along with a drizzle of olive oil, and as the main seasoning for nearly any roasted vegetable.
Be Sure to Check out these other Healthy and Tasty Chicken Recipes
Wild Blueberry Balsamic Sheet Pan Chicken
Healthy Chicken Stew by Imagelicious
Tomato and Garlic Chicken Curry by Hungry Healthy Happy
3-Ingredient “Everything” Baked Chicken
It doesn’t get much simpler than this when it comes to cooking dinner. The recipe calls for just three ingredients and results in a flavorful, tender chicken dish that is immensely versatile. Make a double batch and stash the leftovers to pack for lunch the next day.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs)
- 1 lemon halved
- 3 tablespoons Everything bagel spice blend
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lay a piece of parchment or a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet.
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Squeeze the lemon halves over both sides of the chicken breasts. Set on the baking sheet and scatter the Everything spice mix over both sides of the chicken to evenly coat.
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Bake until the chicken is done, about 30 minutes. The time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken. To test for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. When it reads 155 degrees F, it’s done. Let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
