Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken breasts baked with a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce and fresh herbs, perfect for a wholesome dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant without browning. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Pour the lemon-garlic herb butter evenly over the chicken breasts. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is juicy and tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then spoon pan juices over chicken before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?

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 Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter 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 Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Herb Butter?

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.

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