Description
Succulent lemon garlic chicken delivers a zesty punch that makes dinner feel like a Mediterranean celebration right at your table. Tender chicken breasts bathed in garlic and citrus will become your new weeknight favorite that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Citrus and Herbs:
- 2 medium lemons
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme (chopped)
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
Seasonings and Oils:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by whisking 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 6 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 2 tablespoons chopped thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl.
- Submerge 4 chicken breasts in half the marinade, ensuring each piece gets completely coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption.
- Fire up your oven to precisely 400°F (200°C). Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Sear each chicken breast for 3-4 minutes until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Drizzle the remaining marinade directly over the chicken breasts in the skillet.
- Transfer the skillet into the preheated oven and roast for 22 minutes, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.
- Remove skillet from oven and tent with aluminum foil. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices and maintain tenderness.
- Garnish with fresh lemon slices and additional chopped herbs before serving your perfectly prepared dish.
Notes
- Always use fresh lemon juice and garlic for the brightest, most vibrant flavor in your marinade.
- Marinating overnight intensifies the herbs and citrus notes, creating deeper taste throughout the chicken.
- For a low-carb version, swap out herbs with rosemary or thyme to add extra depth without changing the core recipe.
- When searing chicken, ensure your skillet is hot enough to create a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and develops rich caramelized flavor.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 297 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg