Print

Tender Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast

tender lemon garlic chicken breast - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for tender, juicy chicken breasts with a flavorful lemon garlic glaze that is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 67 oz / 170200 g each)
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound them to about 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) thickness.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well blended.
  3. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bowl and turn to coat each piece thoroughly. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or marinate up to 2 hours in the fridge.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
  5. Transfer the chicken breasts to the pan (reserve the marinade). Sear for 4-5 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 4 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Pour the reserved marinade over the chicken in the pan. Let simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, spooning the glaze over the chicken occasionally.
  7. Remove the chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

If the glaze thickens too much or starts to burn, lower the heat and add a splash of water to loosen it. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Marinate no longer than 20 minutes at room temperature to prevent mushy texture. Honey can be swapped with maple syrup or agave. For a low-sugar version, omit honey and add extra salt.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, chicken breast recipe, easy chicken dinner, juicy chicken, weeknight dinner, lemon glaze chicken