Fresh lemons bring a burst of citrus flavor to this simple and satisfying chicken dish.

It’s one of my go-to recipes—I love that it comes together very quickly, incorporates everyday ingredients and looks beautiful on a serving platter, thanks to the rustic sprigs of thyme and bright yellow sliced lemons.

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Lemon Butter Chicken

Fresh lemons bring a burst of citrus flavor to this simple and satisfying chicken dish.
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds total
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme + extra sprigs to garnish, optional
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons whipped butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken beasts, lemon zest, sliced lemons, chopped thyme and garlic in a large bowl and toss everything to mix. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes (or longer in the fridge).
  • Preheat the oven to 400˚. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • After chicken is done marinating, pour the contents of the bowl onto the baking sheet and lay out the chicken in an even layer. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper and drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top.
  • Roast chicken for 30 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the lemon slices are slightly crispy.
  • Transfer the chicken and lemons on a serving dish, garnish with additional thyme and serve.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories: 155Carbohydrates: 2gProtein: 31gTotal Fat: 4g— Unsaturated Fat: 3g— Saturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 570mgFiber: 0.5gTotal Sugar: 0g— Natural Sugar: 0g— Added Sugar: 0g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!