Description
This baked lemon chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts coated in a flavorful butter, garlic, and lemon sauce, then roasted to perfection. It's a simple and delicious dinner option that combines zesty lemon with savory herbs for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Lemon slices for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Season: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to ensure even flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until nicely browned to lock in moisture and flavor.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a baking dish, arranging them in a single layer for even cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Stir well to blend the flavors.
- Bake the Chicken: Pour the butter and lemon mixture over the chicken in the baking dish. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, adjusting the time if your chicken breasts are thicker.
- Garnish and Serve: Spoon the pan sauce over the baked chicken, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor in the sauce.
- Butter and garlic sauce can be adjusted with additional herbs like thyme or rosemary if desired.
- Chicken breasts can be pounded to an even thickness for more uniform cooking.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side of rice for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 271 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 293 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg
