Name: Baked Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts; 3 tbsp olive oil; 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1/4 cup lemon juice; 2 tsp salt; black pepper to taste; fresh thyme to taste; lemon slices (optional)

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This baked lemon chicken is juicy, healthy, easy to make, and delicious! It’s a family-friendly dish that is made with simple ingredients and a great to make for lunch or dinner.

chicken breast on a baking dish after going to the oven

Why you will love this recipe

This baked lemon chicken is easy to make and family-friendly.

It’s healthy and meal-prep friendly.

It’s made with simple ingredients.

Ingredients for this recipe

Chicken breast: 4 boneless and skinless chicken breasts.

Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil.

Garlic: For extra flavor.

Lemon juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Lemon slices: To garnish (optional).

Seasoning: A combination of salt, black pepper, and thyme.

ingredients to make baked lemon chicken. Chicken breasts, garlic, lemon juice, lemon, thyme, olive oil and seasoning

How to make this recipe

Preheat the oven to 390 degrees F ( 200 C ).

Add olive oil to a baking dish and place the chicken breasts on top.

Then add the garlic, thyme, lemon juice, and season with salt and black pepper.

Add lemon slices to garnish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts.

chicken breasts seasoned on a baking dish before going to the oven

Serve with your favorite sides.

a plate served with sliced chicken breast, lemon slices and cooked asparagus

What to serve with baked lemon chicken

There are so many sides dishes that go well with baked lemon chicken. Here are some of them:

Potatoes: Like roasted potatoes, baked or fried.

Rice: White basmati rice or brown rice.

Pasta: Spaghetti, farfalle or fusilli.

Roasted vegetables: Carrots, broccoli, or green beans.

Sauteed vegetables: asparagus, spinach, cabbage, or mushrooms.

Green salad: Lettuce, arugula, or spinach.

baked lemon chicken on a baking dish garnished with thyme and lemon slices

FAQ

Can you use chicken thighs in this baked lemon chicken recipe?

Yes! You can use chicken thighs for this recipe if you prefer.

What does adding lemon to chicken do?

The lemon juice tenderizes the chicken, keeps it juicy inside, and adds a delicious taste.

close up of baked lemon chicken on a baking dish

Tips for making this recipe

Make ahead: Make the marinade ahead, for example, in the morning, keep it in the fridge, and simply put it in the oven to bake for lunch or dinner.

Store leftovers: Store leftovers on the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Recipe variations: You can add 1 teaspoon of paprika for extra flavor.

More chicken recipes

baked lemon chicken on top of a kitchen towel on a marble table with plates, forks and knifes on the side to serve

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