Description
This Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast recipe is a flavorful and easy dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The combination of zesty lemon and aromatic pepper creates a delicious marinade for juicy chicken breasts. Whether baked in the oven or grilled to perfection, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- fresh parsley or lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven or Grill: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and pound to even thickness if needed.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Marinate the Chicken: Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts. For extra flavor, marinate for 30 minutes.
- Cooking Option 1 – Baking: If baking, place chicken in a greased baking dish and bake for 22–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cooking Option 2 – Grilling or Pan-Searing: If grilling or pan-searing, cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon slices if desired.
Notes
- For extra juicy chicken, marinate it in the seasoning mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
- This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, rice, or salad.