Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Asparagus
Coated in a fragrant herb crust, served with perfectly roasted asparagus for a quick, high-protein dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (high-protein, low-carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (20g) all-purpose flour, (10g), finely chopped fresh parsley, (5g), finely chopped fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 345 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 skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp (20g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (10g), finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup (5g), finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30ml), divided olive oil
- 1 bunch (12 oz), trimmed asparagus
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat 4 chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 2 tbsp flour, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped thyme, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the chicken, then bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and crust is golden.
- Step 5: Toss 1 bunch trimmed asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a separate baking sheet, then roast for 12-15 minutes until crisp-tender and slightly charred at edges.
- Step 6: Squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice over the asparagus before serving alongside the chicken.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Asparagus 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 Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Asparagus?
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 (20g) all-purpose flour from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Asparagus?
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 Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Asparagus 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.
Is Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Asparagus high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.