Fragrant, tempting, and juicy — perfect as an appetizer or for sandwiches! This clean-eating chicken breast “ham” turns out nice and moist because it only bakes for about 30 minutes. That’s just enough time for the meat to cook through while staying tender and juicy. It’s a great, healthy swap for regular deli meats.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- Chicken breasts – 2 pieces
- Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
- Dried seasoning mix – 1 tsp
- Paprika – 1 tsp
- Ground black pepper – to taste
- Salt – to taste
Nutrition Facts (per 100 g)
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Protein: 22 g (76%)
- Fat: 6 g (21%)
- Carbs: 1 g (3%)
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
To make this healthy baked chicken “ham,” start by prepping your ingredients. It’s best to use fresh, not previously frozen, chicken so it doesn’t turn out dry. Choose smaller chicken breasts — very large ones might not cook through in time. If your pieces are big, just increase the baking time a bit.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Seasoning
Grab a flat plate and add the salt and all the dry spices. You can adjust the spice mix to your taste. I highly recommend using paprika — it gives the meat a beautiful color. I used paprika, chicken curry seasoning, and ground black pepper. Dried garlic would also be a great addition.
Step 3: Add the Oil
Pour the vegetable oil onto the plate. You can use any neutral vegetable oil — from regular sunflower to olive oil. Refined oil without a strong smell works best, since unrefined oil can develop an odd taste when heated. Mix the oil with the spices until you have a thick paste.
Step 4: Season the Chicken
Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them completely dry. Trim off any remaining bones, cartilage, or fat if needed. Rub each breast all over with the spice-and-oil paste, coating it on every side.
Step 5: Wrap in Foil
Wrap each breast separately in foil. For extra security, you can wrap each one in a second layer. Make sure there are no gaps or holes in the foil so the juices don’t leak out.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Place the wrapped chicken in a baking dish and put it into a preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 30–45 minutes. The exact time will depend on your oven and the size of the breasts. When time is up, take the dish out of the oven and let the chicken cool completely without unwrapping it.
Step 7: Chill and Serve
Once cooled, remove the chicken from the foil, wrap it in parchment paper, and refrigerate for 2–8 hours. Chilling it well will make it much easier to slice. Serve your homemade chicken “ham” as an appetizer or on sandwiches. Enjoy!
