Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Chicken

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

Juicy chicken breasts baked with a zesty lemon-herb marinade, resulting in a tender, flavorful dish that's light and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, lemon juice, dried oregano for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp dried thyme, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the chicken and then pour the marinade evenly over the chicken, ensuring each piece is coated.
  3. Step 3: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is golden brown on top, basting once halfway through with the pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Low-Calorie Lemon Herb Chicken 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 Low-Calorie Lemon Herb 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 lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Calorie Lemon Herb 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 Low-Calorie Lemon Herb 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 Low-Calorie Lemon Herb 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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