If you are looking for a dish that exudes bright, zesty flavors with the comforting warmth of butter, you’ve got to try this Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe. It’s a delightful harmony of juicy chicken breasts bathed in a luscious lemon butter sauce that manages to be fresh, savory, and utterly irresistible all at once. Its simplicity makes it perfect for weeknight dinners, yet it’s elegant enough to serve when you want to impress guests without stress. This recipe will quickly become your go-to for a flavorful, satisfying meal that feels like a special occasion in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role in balancing flavors and creating that perfect texture and color in this Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe. From the richness of butter to the freshness of lemon zest, you’ll find everything here brings the dish to life.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star of the dish, providing a tender, juicy base.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter: Adds richness and a velvety mouthfeel to the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Helps with searing the chicken to a beautiful golden color.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Delivers aromatic depth without overpowering the lemon notes.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Complements the garlic with a hint of sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme: Offers an earthy, fragrant layer that enhances the poultry.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: Brings a subtle Mediterranean twist.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Essential for seasoning and flavor enhancement.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle kick to lift the flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes: Provides a mild heat that plays beautifully with the lemon.
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice: The centerpiece, offering bright acidity to balance the butter.
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest: Intensifies the citrus aroma and flavor without added liquid.
- 1/4 cup chicken broth: Keeps the chicken moist and enriches the sauce.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped: A fresh garnish that adds an inviting burst of color and flavor.
How to Make Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready when your chicken is seared. Meanwhile, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This small step helps achieve that gorgeous golden crust when they hit the skillet.
Step 2: Make the Flavorful Butter Mixture
In a small pan or microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the unsalted butter. Stir in olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Then mix in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. This combination creates the magic sauce that will soak into the chicken and elevate every bite.
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large, oven-safe skillet. Once shimmering, add the chicken breasts in a single layer. Sear each side for about 2-3 minutes until beautifully golden brown. This caramelization locks in juices and gives the chicken a lovely texture before baking.
Step 4: Assemble for Baking
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, then drizzle the prepared lemon butter mixture evenly over each chicken breast. This ensures they soak up all that buttery, lemony goodness while baking. The broth adds a little moisture to keep everything succulent.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven. Bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). During baking, the chicken will absorb the flavors and become tender and juicy.
Step 6: Final Touches
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This resting time helps the juices redistribute, keeping your chicken moist. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a fresh burst of color and flavor just before serving.
How to Serve Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is essential in this recipe, adding vibrancy and a subtle herbal brightness that complements the lemon butter sauce beautifully. For an extra touch, a few thinly sliced lemon wheels or wedges can be added on top for visual appeal and an extra pop of citrus aroma.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider fluffy mashed potatoes to soak up the luscious sauce, or a simple green salad with vinaigrette to balance the richness. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli also provide a lovely textural contrast and brighten the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to take your presentation up a notch, serve the chicken on a platter lined with lemon slices and garnish with parsley sprigs. You can even drizzle a little of the leftover sauce from the pan around the plate. For casual dining, plating the chicken alongside a bed of rice or couscous works beautifully, allowing the sauce to infuse every bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover baked lemon butter chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 3 days, giving you ready-made meals that taste just as delicious when reheated.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken breasts coated in the lemon butter sauce for up to 2 months. Make sure to cool them completely before sealing in a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat or in a microwave at medium power. To avoid drying out the chicken, add a splash of chicken broth or a bit of the reserved lemon butter sauce as you warm it, keeping it succulent and flavorful.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work well and often remain even juicier. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a few minutes longer to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Is it necessary to sear the chicken before baking?
While not mandatory, searing adds fantastic flavor and texture by creating a golden crust. It also helps seal in juices, making your Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe extra special.
Can I prepare this recipe without chicken broth?
You can substitute chicken broth with water if needed, but broth adds essential depth and richness to the sauce. For a vegetarian twist, vegetable broth works well too.
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based butter or olive oil. The dish will still have lovely richness and flavor without the dairy.
What’s the best way to ensure the chicken stays moist?
Patting the chicken dry before searing, not overcooking it, and allowing it to rest after baking are key steps. The lemon butter sauce also helps lock in moisture, resulting in tender, juicy chicken every time.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe is a true gem in the kitchen—simple enough for a busy weeknight but full of bright, satisfying flavors that make each dinner feel special. Once you try it, you’ll find it becomes one of your absolute favorites to make again and again. Dive in and enjoy every buttery, lemony bite!
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Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts baked in a flavorful lemon butter sauce infused with garlic, herbs, and a hint of spice. Quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner, the chicken is seared before baking to lock in juices and topped with a fresh parsley garnish for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Butter Sauce and Seasoning
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan or skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat and stir in olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season each breast evenly with the prepared seasoning mixture by applying it thoroughly on both sides.
- Heat Skillet: Use a large oven-safe skillet and heat olive oil over medium-high heat until hot.
- Sear Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown to lock in juices.
- Add Liquids and Lemon: Pour in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth into the skillet with the chicken, stirring the butter mixture again to combine all flavors.
- Coat Chicken: Spoon some of the lemon butter sauce from the skillet over each chicken breast to ensure they are well coated.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is cooked through.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and retain moisture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for added freshness and flavor. Serve the baked lemon butter chicken with your favorite side dishes, spooning extra buttery lemon sauce from the skillet over the chicken for enhanced taste.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps the butter sauce adhere better and promotes browning.
- If you don’t have fresh lemon zest and juice, bottled lemon juice and dried zest can be used as substitutes, though fresh ingredients give the best flavor.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to avoid transferring the chicken to another dish before baking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste if you prefer less or more heat.
- Allowing the chicken to rest after baking ensures juicier results.
