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Savory Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken Breasts

lemon garlic roasted chicken breasts - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for juicy, flavorful chicken breasts roasted with lemon, garlic, and herbs. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 68 ounces / 170-225g each)
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Allow the oven to reach the temperature before putting the chicken in.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, zest and juice of 1 lemon, minced garlic, dried thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Whisk until well blended.
  3. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  4. Place the chicken breasts in the bowl or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Use your hands or a spoon to coat each piece evenly. Let sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature or up to an hour in the fridge for more flavor.
  5. Arrange the chicken breasts spaced evenly on a rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Pour any extra marinade over the top.
  6. Roast the chicken for 20-25 minutes, depending on thickness. Chicken about 1 inch thick will be done around 22 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove from oven and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  8. Optional: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before marinating helps achieve better browning. Rest the chicken after roasting to keep it juicy. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness. If chicken browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil halfway through cooking. Marinate for at least 10 minutes for best flavor but can roast immediately if short on time.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, roasted chicken breasts, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken, weeknight dinner, garlic chicken, lemon chicken