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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
