Description
Zesty lemon pepper chicken introduces bold Mediterranean flavors with minimal ingredients. Home cooks can quickly elevate weeknight dinners with this simple, tangy protein that delivers maximum taste in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts, medium, boneless, skinless (about 2–2.5 lbs/1.1 kg)
- 2 tbsps lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- ¼ cup (4 tbsps/60 ml) butter, softened
- Chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat: Set oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal roasting environment for the chicken.
- Layer Foundation: Arrange lemon slices across the bottom of a baking dish, establishing a citrusy flavor base.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle kosher salt over chicken breasts, positioning them atop the lemon slices to absorb aromatic essences.
- Craft Butter Blend: Whisk together softened unsalted butter, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and cayenne pepper to develop a rich, zesty coating.
- Prepare Coating: Thoroughly massage the herbal butter mixture onto the chicken, ensuring complete and uniform coverage for maximum flavor penetration.
- Roast and Monitor: Slide the dish into the preheated oven, cooking boneless breasts for 25-28 minutes or bone-in thighs for 35-40 minutes, periodically basting with melted butter to maintain moisture.
- Check Doneness: Use a digital meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 161°F (72°C), guaranteeing perfectly cooked, safe-to-eat chicken.
- Rest and Finish: Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute, then drizzle with additional lemon-infused butter and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a sophisticated presentation.
Notes
- Choose Quality Chicken: Select fresh, plump chicken breasts or thighs with minimal moisture for better seasoning absorption and crispier exterior.
- Master Butter Technique: Soften butter at room temperature to create smooth, evenly spreadable seasoning mixture that coats chicken seamlessly.
- Temperature Precision Matters: Use a reliable digital meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe 161°F, preventing undercooking or drying out.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow chicken to rest 5 minutes after cooking, enabling internal juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg