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Juicy Baked Chicken Breast Recipe Easy Lemon Garlic Flavor Perfect

lemon garlic baked chicken breast - featured image

A simple and quick baked chicken breast recipe infused with fresh lemon and garlic, delivering juicy, tender, and flavorful results perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (67 ounces / 170200 grams each)
  • 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or thyme or rosemary)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until well blended.
  3. Place chicken breasts in the bowl and coat thoroughly with the marinade. Let sit for at least 15 minutes (up to 30 minutes if possible).
  4. Arrange chicken breasts flat in a baking dish, spacing evenly. Pour leftover marinade over the top.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) or juices run clear.
  6. Optional: For extra browning, broil for the last 3-4 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  7. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with an optional lemon wedge.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Let chicken rest after baking to retain juices. Broil at the end for a golden crust but watch carefully to prevent burning. Marinate at least 15 minutes for best flavor. Can substitute olive oil with avocado oil or melted butter. Add honey to marinade to balance tartness if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken breast, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken breast, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken