Lemon Garlic Chicken is the quintessential weeknight dinner, offering a vibrant, flavorful, and surprisingly simple way to elevate your mealtime. This recipe provides a delicious and wholesome dish that’s perfect for busy families or anyone looking for a satisfying and easy-to-prepare chicken dinner.
Key Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 2–3 tablespoons)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for richness)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken
Get ready for a quick and incredibly satisfying meal! This Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor. Expect a tender, juicy chicken bathed in a bright, zesty lemon-garlic sauce, perfect for any occasion. Preparation time is approximately 10 minutes, with a cooking time of about 20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a speedy yet impressive dinner.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If using chicken breasts, you can either pound them to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) for quicker and more uniform cooking, or cut them into bite-sized pieces if you prefer. For thighs, trim any excess fat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; this helps achieve a better sear.
- Create the Marinade/Sauce Base: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. This simple mixture is the foundation of our delicious flavor profile.
- Coat the Chicken: Place the chicken in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour about half of the lemon-garlic mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining half of the lemon-garlic mixture for later saucing.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). You may need to cook in batches.
- Build the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked and removed from the skillet (place it on a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm), reduce the heat to medium. Add the reserved lemon-garlic mixture to the skillet. If using, add the tablespoon of butter now for an extra touch of richness.
- Simmer and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This will help create a more intense flavor. The sauce should thicken slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss the chicken in the sauce to coat evenly. Let it simmer for another minute or two, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Serve the Lemon Garlic Chicken immediately. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. This dish is divine served with rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Chicken
You’ll adore this Lemon Garlic Chicken for its incredibly bright and zesty flavor profile, a refreshing departure from typical weeknight chicken dishes. The star of this recipe is undoubtedly the wonderfully tangy lemon and pungent garlic sauce that beautifully coats every tender piece of chicken, making each bite a burst of sunshine. Plus, making this flavorful dish at home is significantly more budget-friendly than ordering takeout or dining out, offering restaurant-quality taste without the high cost. Its simplicity, savory depth, and the quick preparation time truly set it apart, making it a go-to for a healthy and delicious meal that’s far more exciting than plain baked chicken. Give this sensational Lemon Garlic Chicken a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your delicious Lemon Garlic Chicken is key to enjoying its fantastic flavors again.
- Refrigeration: Allow the chicken and any remaining sauce to cool completely at room temperature before storing. Transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent the chicken from drying out and to maintain its flavor.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the Lemon Garlic Chicken. Again, ensure the chicken and sauce are completely cooled. Place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen Lemon Garlic Chicken can be stored for up to 2–3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat refrigerated chicken, you have a few excellent options for optimal taste. The best method is to gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying and help reconstitute the sauce. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the oven at around 325°F (160°C) until heated through, or use your microwave, covering the dish to retain moisture. For frozen chicken, it’s best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using one of the methods above. Reheating gently preserves the delicate lemon and garlic notes without overcooking the chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Garlic Chicken is a truly spectacular recipe that balances simplicity with incredible flavor. We encourage you to whip up this delightful dish at home; it’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation. Enjoy the process and savor every delicious bite!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using chicken breasts, you can either pound them to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) for quicker and more uniform cooking, or cut them into bite-sized pieces if you prefer. For thighs, trim any excess fat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels; this helps achieve a better sear.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. This simple mixture is the foundation of our delicious flavor profile.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 lemon, juiced, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the chicken in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour about half of the lemon-garlic mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining half of the lemon-garlic mixture for later saucing.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 lemon, juiced, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Heat a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). You may need to cook in batches.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Once the chicken is cooked and removed from the skillet (place it on a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm), reduce the heat to medium. Add the reserved lemon-garlic mixture to the skillet. If using, add the tablespoon of butter now for an extra touch of richness.1 tablespoon butter
- Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This will help create a more intense flavor. The sauce should thicken slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss the chicken in the sauce to coat evenly. Let it simmer for another minute or two, allowing the chicken to absorb the flavors.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Serve the Lemon Garlic Chicken immediately. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. This dish is divine served with rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad.fresh parsley, chopped