Boneless chicken breasts are the most popular cut of poultry sold in America. Most of us eat them regularly—endlessly?!—but that doesn’t mean we’re good at cooking them. (I’ve certainly had my fair share of bland, dry, unappetizing chicken.)

Taste of Home‘s Test Kitchen has a 4-step plan that’s quick, easy to follow and guarantees a good meal. The following guide assumes you’re using a standard pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are equal size/thickness, normally 3-4 pieces.

Step 1: Brine

Combine cold water with 3 tablespoons of salt, then soak chicken for 30 minutes. This will boost the natural flavor and moisture content.

Step 2: Season

Drain brine from chicken and pat dry with paper towels, then brush with olive oil, salt, pepper and any fresh or dry seasoning you like. I personally love rosemary, parsley, lemon and cilantro.

Step 3: Bake

Place chicken on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, quick cooking at a high heat actually produces a better result.

Step 4: Rest

Remove from oven and allow cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes, so the juices can redistribute. 

Need some more inspiration? Here are 100 ways to cook chicken breasts. It may sound unusual, but the cranberry maple is actually really tasty. 

How do you like to cook chicken?