Zesty Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe: A Sunny Dinner Delight

Succulent lemon butter chicken dances with vibrant flavors that brighten any weeknight dinner.

Mediterranean ingredients blend seamlessly in this simple yet elegant dish.

Home cooks adore how quickly it comes together with minimal effort.

Zesty citrus notes complement rich butter perfectly, creating a harmonious balance.

Tender chicken emerges from the oven glistening with golden-hued sauce.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of tangy and creamy textures.

You’ll want to savor every morsel of this comforting meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds celebrate a delicious adventure.

Why You’ll Keep Making Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

• Whips up in just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Combines zesty lemon, rich butter, and aromatic spices that create a mouthwatering sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dining experience.
• Requires minimal cooking skills with simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, ensuring even novice home cooks can achieve restaurant-quality results every single time.
• Pairs beautifully with multiple side dishes like rice, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes, making it adaptable for different tastes and dietary preferences.

What Goes in Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat cut that absorbs the lemon butter sauce perfectly, juicy and flavorful when cooked correctly. Choose fresh, boneless, skinless cuts for even cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Italian Seasoning: Creates a robust flavor base for the chicken, adding depth and complexity to the dish. Look for fresh, high-quality spices for the best taste.

• Butter, Garlic, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Provides rich, tangy sauce with bright citrus notes. Select fresh garlic and ripe lemons for maximum flavor intensity.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Honey: Adds subtle heat and sweetness to balance the sauce. Use pure honey for best results.
• Chicken Broth: Helps create moisture and additional depth in the sauce. Low-sodium options work well.

• Fresh Parsley, Fresh Thyme, Lemon Slices: Provides visual appeal and fresh aromatic finish. Choose bright green herbs and firm lemon slices.

How to Bake Lemon Butter Chicken at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and get ready for a flavor explosion.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning

Step 3: Create Magical Lemon Butter Sauce

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Red pepper flakes
• Honey
• Chicken broth

Whisk until the mixture becomes a harmonious blend of tangy and rich flavors.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease a baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.

Step 5: Arrange the Chicken

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.

Step 6: Drench in Sauce

Pour the luscious lemon butter sauce all over the chicken, making sure every inch is covered.

Step 7: Add Citrus Flair

Scatter fresh lemon slices around the chicken to amp up the zesty profile.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Step 9: Final Touches

Spoon extra sauce over the chicken to maximize flavor.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

• Fluffy rice
• Roasted vegetables
• Creamy mashed potatoes

Tips for Juicy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Marinate chicken in the lemon butter sauce for 30 minutes before baking to enhance taste penetration and tenderness.
• Adjust Spice Level: Customize red pepper flakes quantity to match your personal heat preference, from mild to extra spicy.
• Perfect Moisture Technique: Tent the baking dish with aluminum foil during first half of cooking to prevent chicken from drying out, ensuring juicy results.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular honey with pure maple syrup or agave nectar for celiac-friendly version without compromising delicious flavor profile.
• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Prepare sauce and season chicken ahead of time, storing in refrigerator for up to 24 hours before final baking, saving precious cooking time.

Save and Reheat Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Easily

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Cover chicken with its remaining sauce to prevent drying out and maintain moisture during storage.
• Warm in microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each interval to prevent overcooking. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Discard chicken if it develops an odd smell, changes color, or shows signs of spoilage before reheating.

What to Serve with Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

• Select a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that matches the lemon's bright acidity and cuts through the rich butter sauce.
• Create a light mixed green salad with cucumber, red onion, and a simple vinaigrette to balance the creamy, savory chicken and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Prepare a light, fluffy couscous seasoned with parsley, thyme, and a touch of lemon zest to echo the dish's citrus notes and soak up the delicious sauce.
• Grill asparagus spears with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper to add a subtle green vegetable side that complements the chicken's zesty flavor profile.

Flavor Swaps for Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace Italian seasoning with za'atar spice blend, add chopped oregano and mint, use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap butter with coconut oil or avocado oil, use dairy-free chicken broth, maintain all original seasonings for those with lactose intolerance.
• Spicy Caribbean Remix: Increase red pepper flakes, add ground allspice and a splash of rum, substitute honey with brown sugar for a Caribbean-style chicken preparation.
• Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Remove honey, use a sugar-free sweetener alternative, increase butter quantity, serve with cauliflower rice or roasted low-carb vegetables to keep meal ketogenic-friendly.

FAQs on Baked Lemon Butter Chicken

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs. Just adjust the cooking time, as thighs might take slightly longer to cook and ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165F (75C).

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from red pepper flakes. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them completely. For more heat, increase the quantity according to your taste.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 165F (75C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken- the meat should be white and have no pink areas.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that your chicken broth and seasonings are certified gluten-free if you have strict dietary requirements.

Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent Baked Lemon Butter Chicken promises a Mediterranean-inspired feast that dances with zesty brightness and rich, creamy elegance. Garlic, herbs, and citrusy notes combine to create a delightful dinner you’ll crave time and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 6 chicken thighs)

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey (for a touch of sweetness)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth (or water)

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley or thyme
• Lemon slices

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Thoroughly dry chicken breasts using paper towels, then generously season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning to create a robust flavor profile.
2. Prepare the lemon butter sauce by whisking together melted butter, minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, grated lemon zest, red pepper flakes, honey, and chicken broth in a mixing bowl until smoothly combined.
3. Grease a baking dish and carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts inside, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
4. Lavishly pour the prepared lemon butter sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well-coated and infused with the zesty mixture.
5. Decoratively arrange thin lemon slices around the chicken to enhance the citrusy flavor and create an appealing presentation.
6. Transfer the baking dish to a preheated oven set at 375F (190C) and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F (75C).
7. Once cooked, remove from the oven and generously spoon additional sauce over the chicken to maximize flavor and moisture.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or thyme for a vibrant touch, and serve immediately alongside complementary sides like rice, roasted vegetables, or creamy mashed potatoes.

Notes

• Moisture is key for tender chicken, so never skip patting the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version or use agave nectar for a lower glycemic index alternative.
• Use bone-in chicken thighs for a more budget-friendly option that stays incredibly moist and absorbs more flavor from the lemon butter sauce.
• Create a gluten-free meal by using cornstarch instead of traditional flour when greasing the baking dish and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg