Description
This Lemon Chicken with Garlic and Herbs is a delicious and healthy main course perfect for busy weeknights, offering tender chicken with crispy skin and bright flavors from lemon, garlic, and classic herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5–2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2–3 medium fresh lemons
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Pat chicken pieces very dry with paper towels to encourage crisp, golden-brown skin when searing. Trim any excess fat.
- Make Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried herbs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Marinate: Add chicken to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Marinate at room temperature for a quick option, or in the fridge for deeper, more infused flavor.
- Sear: Heat a large 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken skin-side down until beautifully golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. (If the pan looks overcrowded, sear in batches to ensure proper browning and avoid steaming.)
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400F (200C). Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F (74C) and its juices run clear when pierced.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the cooked Lemon Chicken with Garlic and Herbs rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For convenience, use bottled lemon juice, an Italian seasoning blend, or pre-minced garlic. If short on time, coat chicken and cook immediately without marinating. Always use a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking and ensure juicy, tender chicken. Serve with extra veggies for a low-carb, fiber-rich meal.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 chicken pieces (approx. 180 g)
- Calories: 300 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: lemon chicken, garlic herbs, healthy dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free, dairy-free, easy chicken, baked chicken, skillet dinner, family meal