Description
Zesty lemon pepper chicken brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table, infusing bold flavors with simple ingredients. Crispy exterior and juicy interior promise a delightful meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Liquid and Oil Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Garnish (Optional):
- Lemon slices
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Submerge chicken breasts in the prepared marinade, ensuring complete and even coating. Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until appropriately hot. Carefully transfer marinated chicken breasts to the skillet, discarding excess marinade. Cook approximately 5-7 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- During the final cooking minute, introduce lemon slices into the skillet, allowing them to caramelize alongside the chicken and intensify the citrusy essence.
- Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a serving platter, drizzling any remaining pan juices over the meat. Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and additional lemon slices for visual appeal and enhanced flavor profile. Serve immediately with complementary side dishes.
Notes
- Marinate Longer for Deeper Flavor: Extended marinating time up to 8 hours can help chicken absorb more zesty lemon pepper seasoning, creating a more intense taste profile.
- Swap Chicken Cuts: This recipe works beautifully with chicken thighs or drumsticks, offering versatility for different preferences and cooking styles.
- Make It Diet-Friendly: Substitute olive oil with avocado oil for a lighter option, or use boneless, skinless chicken for a lower-fat version that still delivers incredible flavor.
- Enhance Herb Complexity: Sprinkle fresh thyme or rosemary during cooking to add an extra layer of aromatic depth to the lemon pepper chicken.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 100mg