One-Pan Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
Tender chicken breasts baked with bright lemon and fresh herbs in a single skillet for a simple weeknight dinner. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 30 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 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (1 lb / 450g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb / 450g) dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 3: Transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Step 4: While chicken bakes, whisk 1/2 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, and 1/4 cup chicken broth in a small bowl.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from oven, pour lemon-herb mixture over chicken, and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Chicken with Lemon and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 One-Pan Chicken with Lemon and Herbs?
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 One-Pan Chicken with Lemon and Herbs?
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 One-Pan Chicken with Lemon and Herbs 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 One-Pan Chicken with Lemon and Herbs?
American one pot 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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better one pot dishes though.
