Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken Breasts with Asparagus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts marinated in a zesty lemon-thyme blend, roasted with asparagus until golden and juicy, creating a simple yet elegant meal. This general-inspired chicken (low-sodium) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh thyme 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: 25 min Serves 4 General cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour marinade over them, rubbing to coat both sides. Let marinate for 15 minutes while oven preheats.
  3. Step 3: Arrange asparagus around chicken in the baking dish, drizzling with 1 tbsp olive oil and seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally and asparagus is tender with slight char.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken Breasts with Asparagus 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-Thyme Roasted Chicken Breasts 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken Breasts 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 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken Breasts 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.

Is Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken Breasts with Asparagus low-sodium?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low-sodium based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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