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Best Juicy Lemon Butter Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

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This Juicy Lemon Butter Baked Chicken Breast is proof that sometimes the best recipes come from happy accidents. It’s simple enough for a busy weeknight but elegant enough for a dinner party, featuring tender chicken with a glossy, golden lemon butter crust.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–7 ounces / 170-200g each)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional but recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup white wine (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, carefully place the chicken breasts in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving them until a deep golden-brown crust forms. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the lemon juice, chicken broth, and honey. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the lemon zest. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over each breast. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  5. Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes. While it rests, let the sauce sit in the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear for the best flavor. Pound chicken to even thickness for uniform cooking. Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Make extra sauce to serve over rice or potatoes.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter chicken, baked chicken breast, juicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, lemon chicken

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