Description
This Lemon Pepper Chicken Breast recipe offers a simple yet flavorful way to prepare juicy chicken breasts infused with zesty lemon and aromatic pepper. Seared to golden perfection on the stovetop and finished in the oven, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s both healthy and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Seasoning Mixture
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a good sear.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cracked black pepper, and salt to create a flavorful seasoning mixture.
- Season the chicken: Rub the prepared seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each chicken breast so the meat absorbs all the bright, zesty flavors.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet on medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Bake to finish: Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken straight into the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry helps achieve a better sear and prevents steaming.
- Using fresh lemon zest and juice enhances the citrus flavor significantly over bottled lemon juice.
- Make sure your oven-safe skillet can withstand oven temperatures or transfer the chicken to a baking dish after searing.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it moist and tender.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for perfectly cooked chicken every time.
