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Tender Baked Lemon Herb Chicken Breast

tender baked lemon herb chicken breast - featured image
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A simple and flavorful baked chicken breast recipe marinated in lemon juice and fresh herbs, resulting in tender, juicy, and aromatic chicken perfect for weeknights or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz or 170 g each), pounded slightly for even cooking
  • Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
  • 3 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • Salt to taste (about 1 tsp)
  • Black pepper to taste (about 1/2 tsp)
  • Optional: 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Optional: 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Pound to about 1/2 inch thickness if uneven, about 5 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, olive oil, chopped parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and optional Dijon mustard or honey until well combined (about 3 minutes).
  3. Place chicken breasts in the bowl or resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over them. Turn to coat evenly. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours.
  4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly oil it to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and place in the baking dish. Pour a little marinade around the chicken but not too much to avoid sogginess.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Chicken should feel firm but springy with a slight golden edge.
  7. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden finish, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for best flavor; longer marinating (up to 4 hours) enhances taste but avoid over 6 hours to prevent meat breakdown. Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness and avoid dry chicken. Optional broiling adds a golden finish but can be skipped. Pounding chicken breasts to even thickness ensures even cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, lemon herb chicken, juicy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, healthy chicken recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/tender-baked-lemon-herb-chicken-breast-recipe-easy-juicy-flavorful-meal/