Description
This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful lemon butter sauce with garlic, herbs, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Baked to perfection in the oven, this delicious and easy-to-make dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Butter Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare butter sauce: In a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and add the olive oil. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until combined.
- Season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides of each chicken breast with the prepared seasoning mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
- Sear chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Add liquids: Pour the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth into the skillet. Stir the butter mixture again to combine and pour it evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Bake chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Rest chicken: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken. Spoon some of the buttery lemon sauce from the skillet over the chicken breasts for added flavor and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the spices stick better.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can sear the chicken in a regular pan and then transfer it to a baking dish before adding the butter mixture and baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Fresh lemon juice and zest enhance the flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be substituted in a pinch.
- This recipe pairs well with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
