Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan) or 425°F. While it heats, pat the chicken breasts dry with kitchen paper. This is a crucial step — dry skin helps the seasoning stick and encourages a lovely golden colour.

Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and rub it all over, then sprinkle the spice mixture evenly on both sides. Massage it in gently; you should see the spices coating the surface in a fragrant, reddish-brown layer.

Prepare the Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little olive oil or butter. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the dish, leaving a small gap between each piece. Tuck the small cubes of butter around and on top of the chicken — they will melt and baste the meat as it cooks, creating a rich, savoury aroma.

Add Lemon (Optional): If using, lay the lemon slices over the top of the chicken. This not only adds a subtle brightness but also helps keep the tops from drying out.

Bake: Place the dish on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The exact time depends on the thickness of your breasts. After 20 minutes, you should see the juices bubbling around the edges of the dish, and the chicken will look opaque and golden brown on top.

Check for Doneness: The most reliable way to know it's done is with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the largest breast — it should read 74°C (165°F). The juices should run clear, not pink. If you don't have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part; the flesh should be white all the way through with no translucency.

Rest and Serve: This is the non-negotiable step. Remove the dish from the oven and tent it loosely with a sheet of aluminium foil. Let it rest for 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice the internal temperature will rise a few degrees, and the juices will redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is tender. After testing this recipe five times, I finally got it just right — and the resting period was the final piece of the puzzle.