Authentic Martin's Guitar Lemon Herb Chicken
A perfectly seared chicken breast with bright lemon and fresh herbs, embodying the true spirit of Mediterranean cooking. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip chicken and cook for 3 more minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 4: Add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Stir in lemon juice, thyme, oregano, and flour, cooking for 1 minute to form a paste.
- Step 6: Pour in chicken stock while scraping up browned bits, then simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 7: Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over top, and cook for 3 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Martin's Guitar Lemon Herb Chicken take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Martin's Guitar Lemon Herb Chicken?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Martin's Guitar Lemon Herb Chicken?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Martin's Guitar Lemon Herb Chicken for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Martin's Guitar Lemon Herb Chicken?
Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.