Tender Lemon Chicken

Four grilled chicken breasts with visible grill marks are arranged on parchment paper, garnished with fresh cilantro on a clear plate. Knives and a striped cloth are nearby.

This lemon chicken recipe is a simple skillet dinner that delivers tender, juicy chicken with a bright citrus sauce. It cooks quickly and pairs easily with rice or pasta for a complete meal.

Course Main Course, Main Dishes

Cuisine American, International

Keyword chicken breast, chicken broth, chicken recipes, fresh lemon, lemon, lemon chicken, lemon chicken recipe, lemon flavor, lemon juice, lemon sauce, lemon slices, roast, skillet

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 14

Chill Time 4

Servings Pieces

Calories 126kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Skillet
1 Mixing Bowl or Zip Lock Bag
1 Tongs
1 Zester

Ingredients

4 Pieces Chicken Breasts skinless, boneless
¼ Cup Olive Oil extra-virgin
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
¼ teaspoon Lemon Zest
3 Cloves Garlic minced
1 teaspoon Oregano dried
1 teaspoon Thyme dried
½ teaspoon Sea Salt
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper freshly cracked

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Mince garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and measure oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Coat chicken in the marinade and refrigerate 30 minutes to 4 hours.
Grill or pan-cook 6–7 minutes per side to 165°Fahrenheit (75°Celsius), then rest before serving.

Notes

Don't skip the marinating time. Even 20 minutes makes a noticeable difference in how much lemon flavor gets into the chicken before it hits the skillet.
Always use fresh lemon rather than bottled lemon juice. The flavor is brighter, cleaner, and so much better in both the marinade and the lemon sauce.
Let the skillet get properly hot before you add the chicken. A cold pan means the chicken will steam instead of sear, and you will miss out on that beautiful golden crust.

Nutrition