Best of the Best Lemon-Dill Chicken with Asparagus
Elevate simple ingredients to 'best' status with a bright lemon-dill sauce and perfectly roasted asparagus. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 42 minutes pairs bunch (12 oz), trimmed asparagus, zested and juiced lemon, fresh, chopped dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bunch (12 oz), trimmed asparagus
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh, chopped dill
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 2: While chicken cooks, toss asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 12 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from oven. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. Add garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, and butter to the skillet drippings. Whisk over low heat for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Pour sauce over chicken and serve immediately with roasted asparagus.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best of the Best Lemon-Dill Chicken with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 42 minutes (15 min prep + 27 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 Best of the Best Lemon-Dill Chicken with 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 zested and juiced lemon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best of the Best Lemon-Dill Chicken with 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 Best of the Best Lemon-Dill Chicken with 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.
What goes well with Best of the Best Lemon-Dill Chicken with Asparagus?
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
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.