Lemon-Herb Keto Chicken with Asparagus and Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent chicken breasts baked with aromatic herbs, lemon zest, and a medley of crisp asparagus and briny olives, all drizzled in a rich garlic-infused olive oil sauce. This mediterranean-inspired keto (keto, high-protein) ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

★ 3.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat 16 oz chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp dried rosemary until fully combined.
  3. Step 3: Place chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish, brush with half the herb-oil mixture, and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes until golden on top.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb trimmed asparagus to the baking dish, spoon the remaining herb-oil mixture over everything, and bake for 15-18 minutes more until chicken reaches 165°F internally and asparagus is tender-crisp with slightly charred edges.
  5. Step 5: Gently stir in 1/4 cup halved pitted green olives, let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld, and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Herb Keto Chicken with Asparagus and Olives take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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-Herb Keto Chicken with Asparagus and Olives?

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 extra-virgin olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Keto Chicken with Asparagus and Olives?

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-Herb Keto Chicken with Asparagus and Olives 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 Lemon-Herb Keto Chicken with Asparagus and Olives keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, 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