Description
This baked lemon chicken recipe features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a flavorful butter, garlic, and lemon sauce. Easy to prepare and perfect for a quick yet delicious dinner, it is enhanced with Italian seasoning, parsley, and optional lemon slices for a fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Butter 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 both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to build flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5 minutes on each side or until they develop a golden brown crust, which locks in the juices.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a baking dish, spacing them evenly for uniform cooking.
- Make the Butter 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 sauce over the chicken in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, adjusting time if chicken breasts are particularly thick.
- Garnish and Serve: Spoon sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Garnish with lemon slices if desired, then serve hot.
Notes
- Use boneless skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and ease of preparation.
- For juicier chicken, consider pounding the breasts to even thickness before cooking.
- If chicken breasts vary in size, adjust baking time accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh green salad.
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
