Description
Tender and juicy baked lemon chicken breasts coated in a flavorful butter, garlic, and herb sauce, perfect for an easy and delicious dinner that pleases the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- lemon slices for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Season Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook each side for 5 minutes or until nicely browned, sealing in the juices.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Place the browned chicken breasts into a baking dish, ready for baking and sauce addition.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Stir well to blend the flavors.
- Bake Chicken: Pour the butter and lemon sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked thoroughly and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Finish and Serve: Spoon the sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and garnish with lemon slices if desired before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking. You can pound them gently if needed.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright, tangy flavor in the sauce.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken to avoid overcooking and ensure juiciness.
- Serve this dish with steamed vegetables or a light salad to keep the meal balanced and nutritious.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 271 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 293 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 113 mg
