Description
Bright, fresh lemon herb chicken that’s perfect for a hot summer dinner. Quick, flavorful, and easy to make—your new go-to recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skin‑less chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb total)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: ¼ cup chicken broth for extra moisture
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Pat the breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and the skin crisp up.
- Make the herb‑lemon mix. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper. If you like a slightly saucier dish, add the chicken broth.
- Marinate. Place the chicken in a shallow dish or zip‑lock bag and pour the herb‑lemon mixture over it. Turn to coat evenly. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes at room temperature (or up to 2 hours in the fridge).
- Cook. Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Sear for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C). The juices should run clear.
- Finish. Reduce heat to medium, pour any remaining sauce from the pan over the chicken, and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve. Plate the chicken, spoon the pan sauce over the top, and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Pair with your favorite summer side—think grilled corn, a cucumber‑tomato salad, or a light quinoa pilaf.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; chicken breasts can dry out quickly.
- For an extra burst of citrus, squeeze a little more lemon juice over the finished dish.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken and reduce the pan liquid over medium heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Keep the herbs fresh; dried herbs lose their bright flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: summer chicken dinner