Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe | Easy, Flavorful & Healthy Dinner Idea
This zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is a perfect weeknight meal. With tender chicken breasts marinated in fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, this quick and healthy recipe is packed with flavor. Perfect for anyone looking for a low-carb, gluten-free dinner option. Serve with roasted veggies or over a bed of quinoa for a complete meal.
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs gives the chicken a bright, tangy flavor with a savory depth.
- Healthy and Nutritious: It's low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with protein, making it perfect for those following specific diets or anyone looking for a wholesome meal.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep time and a simple cooking process, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: You can serve it with almost anything—roasted vegetables, salad, rice, or quinoa. It's a dish that adapts to your sides.
- Perfectly Tender: The marinade helps keep the chicken juicy and tender, ensuring a satisfying bite every time.
- Great for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, making it a great option for make-ahead lunches or dinners.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts – The protein base, tender and juicy when cooked.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds a bright, tangy flavor to the marinade.
- Garlic – Infuses the dish with a savory, aromatic taste.
- Olive Oil – Helps to coat and marinate the chicken, keeping it moist.
- Herbs (like parsley or thyme) – Adds fresh, earthy flavor to complement the lemon and garlic.
Chefs Helpful Tips
- Marinate Longer for Extra Flavor: If time allows, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is even better. This helps the flavors really penetrate the meat.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice and garlic make a big difference in taste compared to bottled or pre-minced versions.
- Pound Chicken Breasts for Even Cooking: Lightly pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures they cook evenly and prevents dry, overcooked spots.
- Don't Overcook: Chicken breasts can dry out if overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for perfectly moist chicken.
- Let the Chicken Rest: After cooking, allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Broil for Extra Crispiness: For a slightly crispy, golden-brown finish, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Double the Marinade for Basting: Consider making extra marinade to use as a sauce or for basting during cooking. Just be sure to cook any marinade used for raw chicken to a safe temperature before serving.
More Recipes To Check Out…
This zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken is a perfect weeknight meal. With tender chicken breasts marinated in fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, this quick and healthy recipe is packed with flavor. Perfect for anyone looking for a low-carb, gluten-free dinner option. Serve with roasted veggies or over a bed of quinoa for a complete meal.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh oregano)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp for garnish, optional
- Prepare the Marinade
In a bowl, combine the lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for more flavor).
- Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in a greased baking dish. Reserve the marinade for basting. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Baste (Optional)
If desired, baste the chicken with the reserved marinade halfway through the cooking time for added flavor.
- Broil for Crispiness (Optional)
For a golden finish, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
- Rest the Chicken
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep it juicy.
- Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve with your choice of sides.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 300kcal
- Calories from Fat 180kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Cholesterol 120mg40%
- Sodium 600mg25%
- Potassium 500mg15%
- Total Carbohydrate 2g1%
- Protein 35g70%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.