Quick & Easy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a popular dish that can be quickly prepared for a delicious and satisfying meal. Whether you're looking to enjoy this chicken as the centerpiece of your dinner or plan it as part of a light lunch, the flavors will definitely impress any palate. In this article, we'll walk through how to make Lemon Garlic Chicken so that you too can prepare a mouth-watering dish.

The key ingredients for making this delicious dish are simple: chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, fresh herbs like parsley or thyme (optional), salt, and pepper. The cooking time is around 20 minutes, and the servings range from two to four people depending on portion size.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (juice only)
• 6-8 garlic cloves minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps

To start, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is heating up, you can season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. The seasoning will ensure that the meat has a good base flavor before adding other ingredients.

In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, minced garlic cloves, and fresh herbs if using them. Pour this mixture into a shallow dish or baking pan big enough to hold all of your chicken breasts in one layer without overcrowding. Make sure not to let any pieces of meat touch each other; they need space so that they can cook evenly.

Once the seasoning has been prepared, place the seasoned chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle them generously with olive oil to ensure that every piece gets some flavoring. This step is crucial because it helps lock in moisture during cooking while also creating a tasty golden-brown crust on top of each piece.

Place the baking dish containing your Lemon Garlic Chicken into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until fully cooked through with an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For further assurance, you may take out one piece to check its temperature by inserting a meat thermometer. Once done, remove from heat and allow it to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add some crushed red pepper flakes towards the end of cooking time if you enjoy spicier foods.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce around your chicken pieces, consider reducing the oven temperature slightly and letting it sit in the oven longer so that any excess moisture evaporates off into steam rather than sitting inside the dish.
• Pair Lemon Garlic Chicken with some steamed vegetables like green beans or broccoli for a healthier meal option.

Conclusion

Lemon Garlic Chicken offers an easy yet impressive addition to your culinary repertoire, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick but still special enough not just for everyday use. By following these simple steps and tips, you'll be able to create this delightful dish at home easily with minimal effort.