Honey-Glazed Lemon Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts baked in a sweet-tangy honey-lemon glaze with garlic and herbs, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat 1 lb chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer skillet to oven.
  3. Step 3: Zest 1 lemon and squeeze juice from half. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  4. Step 4: Pour honey-lemon mixture evenly over chicken in skillet and bake for 15-18 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and sauce bubbles gently.
  5. Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice chicken and drizzle with pan sauce before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Glazed Lemon Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Honey-Glazed Lemon 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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Lemon 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 Honey-Glazed Lemon 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 Honey-Glazed Lemon Chicken?

American 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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