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Easy Lemon Chicken - Juicy and tender chicken breasts baked in a lemon-herb sauce brimming with delicious lemony flavor!
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Easy Lemon Chicken

Juicy and tender chicken breasts baked in a lemon-herb sauce brimming with delicious lemony flavor!
Servings 4
Calories 212kcal
Author Sara

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons minced garlic
  • ⅓ cup dry white wine
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 lemons divided
  • Salt and garlic pepper
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.
  • Remove pan from burner and add the white wine, oregano, thyme and teaspoon of salt.
  • Add the zest of two lemons to the pan and mix.
  • Transfer the sauce to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Place the chicken breasts over the sauce.
  • Season them with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Cut the two zested lemons in half and place in corners of pan next to chicken.
  • Cut the last lemon into 8 wedges and tuck them around the chicken breasts.
  • Bake for 40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
  • For extra browning, brush chicken with some olive oil and place under broiler for 3-4 minutes.
  • Drizzle the sauce over the chicken breasts and serve.

Notes

  1. Lemon Zest Tip: When zesting the lemons, be careful to avoid grating the bitter white pith beneath the yellow skin. Only the outermost layer of the lemon peel contains the aromatic oils that impart the lemon flavor without bitterness. Use a microplane grater or a zester for fine, flavorful zest.
  2. Even Cooking: To ensure that the chicken cooks evenly, consider pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness before baking. This helps prevent thinner parts from drying out while thicker parts cook through, resulting in juicy, tender chicken breasts.
  3. Broiling Technique: If you desire a crispy, golden-brown exterior on the chicken, finish it under the broiler for a few minutes after baking. Keep a close eye on the chicken to prevent burning, as broilers can quickly char the surface. Brushing the chicken with olive oil before broiling helps achieve a beautiful, caramelized finish.

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 166mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg