Description

This Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is a simple and flavorful dish featuring juicy, oven-baked chicken breasts smothered in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and herbs. It’s an easy, one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights or a special dinner!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chicken:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
2 tbsp olive oil

For the Lemon Butter Sauce:

3 tbsp butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp honey (optional, for balance)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 lemon, thinly sliced (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat & Prep the Chicken:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika.

2. Sear the Chicken (Optional for Extra Flavor):

Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

3. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce:

In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, and red pepper flakes.

4. Bake the Chicken:

Pour the lemon butter sauce over the chicken in the skillet (or transfer to a baking dish).
Top with lemon slices and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

5. Serve & Enjoy:

Spoon extra sauce over the chicken before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

Want it crispier? Broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes at the end.
Prefer thighs? Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Dairy-free? Use olive oil instead of butter.