Description
Lemon Butter Chicken delivers pure comfort straight from your kitchen, turning an ordinary evening into a delightful meal that feels like a warm hug. Succulent chicken bathed in a zesty, golden sauce guarantees smiles around your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
Fats and Acids:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 lemon, sliced
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and apply a light coating of cooking spray to a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Whisk together ½ cup unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a small mixing bowl until the ingredients are completely integrated.
- Arrange 4 chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Pour the entire butter mixture over the chicken, carefully rotating each breast to guarantee complete and uniform coverage.
- Strategically place 1 sliced lemon around and directly on top of the chicken breasts for enhanced citrus infusion.
- Transfer the baking dish to the preheated 400°F oven and roast uncovered for precisely 25-30 minutes.
- Verify chicken doneness by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- Cut into the thickest portion of a chicken breast to confirm no pink meat remains and texture appears fully cooked.
- Remove the dish from the oven and allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a vibrant finish.
- When serving, ladle the rich pan juices directly over each chicken breast to maximize moisture and flavor intensity.
Notes
- Keep chicken breasts similar in size and thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Let butter mixture sit at room temperature for easier mixing and better coating on chicken breasts.
- For a lower-fat version, swap butter with olive oil and reduce quantity by half to maintain moisture.
- Fresh lemon juice makes a significant difference compared to bottled, delivering brighter, more vibrant flavor in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg