Lemon-Glazed Chicken Breast with Steamed Vegetables
Tender chicken breasts coated in a bright lemon-garlic glaze, served with perfectly steamed vegetables for a light, refreshing meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic, zested and juiced lemon 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, boneless and skinless (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup, sliced carrots
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) on a plate and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 lemon (zested and juiced), 2 tbsp chicken broth, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring to create a sauce.
- Step 4: Add the chicken back to the skillet and coat with the sauce, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, steam 2 cups broccoli florets and 1 cup sliced carrots for 5-7 minutes until crisp-tender. Serve the chicken with the sauce and steamed vegetables, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Glazed Chicken Breast with Steamed Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Lemon-Glazed Chicken Breast with Steamed Vegetables?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Glazed Chicken Breast with Steamed Vegetables?
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 Lemon-Glazed Chicken Breast with Steamed Vegetables 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 Lemon-Glazed Chicken Breast with Steamed Vegetables?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So simple and delicious! I'll be making this every week. The vegetables steamed perfectly.
- ★★★★★
Cooked it for my wife's birthday dinner and it was a hit. The lemon flavor was just right.
- ★★★★★
Easily one of my favorite chicken recipes. The glaze is simple but makes the dish shine.
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