Easy Weeknight Dinner Lemon Pepper Chicken
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this Easy Weeknight Dinner Lemon Pepper Chicken! Juicy, boneless chicken breasts are marinated in zesty lemon juice and freshly cracked black pepper, delivering a burst of flavor in just 30 minutes. This dish is perfect for busy evenings and pairs beautifully with rice or roasted vegetables, making it a family favorite that’s easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and pat the chicken breasts dry.
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture over the chicken until well coated.
- Place the chicken in the prepared baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature should reach at least 165°F or about 75°C).
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with any leftover sauce from the baking dish alongside your choice of sides.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (170g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the lemon pepper mixture for up to 24 hours before cooking. Customize by incorporating fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme or adding vegetables such as bell peppers during baking for more variety.