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The Best Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe

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3.8 from 14 reviews

This Baked Lemon Chicken recipe features tender, juicy boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked with a flavorful lemon-garlic butter sauce. The chicken is first seared for a golden crust, then baked in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce made from fresh lemon juice, honey, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Garnished with fresh rosemary and lemon slices, this easy and elegant dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons butter

Sauce

  • ⅓ cup chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Garnish (optional)

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and grease a baking sheet or a large casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Brown the chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown color. This step helps lock in juices and adds flavor. Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish.
  3. Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  4. Bake the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts — smaller ones need about 20 minutes, larger ones up to 30 minutes. To keep the chicken moist and flavorful, spoon the sauce from the pan over the chicken every 5 to 10 minutes while baking.
  5. Garnish and serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C), remove from the oven. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and juiciness.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165°F (74°C) for safety and optimal juiciness.
  • Adjust the honey amount to make the sauce sweeter or more tart to suit your preference.
  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute some or all of the chicken broth with white wine.
  • If you prefer, use bone-in chicken breasts but increase baking time accordingly.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Find it online: https://simpleplatter.com/the-best-baked-lemon-chicken-recipe/