Description
This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts infused with a zesty lemon butter sauce and aromatic herbs. Perfectly seared on the stovetop and finished in the oven, this flavorful dish is easy to prepare and makes a delicious, elegant meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Butter and Oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings
- 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
Lemon and Broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Melt Butter and Combine with Olive Oil: In a small pan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter and stir in the olive oil to form the base sauce.
- Prep Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure even browning during searing.
- Mix Seasonings into Butter Mixture: Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the melted butter and olive oil mixture, stirring well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Season Chicken: Thoroughly coat each chicken breast with the seasoning mixture on both sides.
- Heat Skillet and Add Lemon Elements: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to the butter mixture, stirring to blend the flavors.
- Sear Chicken: Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Add Chicken Broth: Pour chicken broth into the skillet with the chicken to enhance moisture and flavor during baking.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the skillet with chicken to the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring the chicken is cooked through.
- Prepare Extra Butter Mixture: While baking, melt extra unsalted butter as needed to spoon over the chicken before serving for additional lemon butter flavor.
- Rest Chicken: After baking, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute for optimal tenderness.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken breasts to add a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Serve and Drizzle Sauce: Spoon some of the buttery lemon sauce from the skillet over the chicken for added moisture and flavor just before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve the baked lemon butter chicken with your favorite side dishes such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry ensures a better sear and browning.
- Use an oven-safe skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer for best results.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Leftover sauce can be drizzled over vegetables or starches for extra flavor.
