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Cooked lemon herb chicken breast served on a plate.

Zesty Mediterranean Lemon Herb Chicken Breast

This Zesty Mediterranean Lemon Herb Chicken Breast recipe features tender chicken infused with a vibrant blend of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, seared to perfection and finished in the oven. It's a delicious and healthy meal that comes together quickly.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Paper Towels
  • Shallow Dish or Zip-top Bag
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Oven-Safe Skillet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 4 count Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts about 1.5 lbs total
  • 2 count Fresh Lemons one for juice, one for slices
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Rosemary chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper or to taste
  • Red Pepper Flakes Optional: A pinch for a little kick

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and pound them to an even 3/4-inch thickness if they are very thick to ensure even cooking.
  • Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish or zip-top bag to create the marinade.
  • Add chicken to the marinade, coat thoroughly, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours, avoiding over-marinating due to lemon juice.
  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and heat an oven-safe skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  • Remove chicken from the marinade, let excess drip off, and sear in the hot skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and a crust forms.
  • Arrange lemon slices over the seared chicken in the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) as measured with a meat thermometer.
  • Remove the skillet from the oven, tent the chicken with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving, garnishing with fresh parsley.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a sprig of fresh rosemary and thyme directly into the skillet with the chicken during the baking process. If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish before finishing in the oven.