Pan-Seared Lemon-Dill Chicken with Roasted Asparagus
Juicy chicken thighs coated in a bright lemon-dill marinade, served with tender asparagus roasted to perfection for a simple weeknight dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, boneless skinless, olive oil, fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 16 oz chicken thighs, boneless skinless
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh dill
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb asparagus
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 1 lb trimmed asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat and roast for 12-15 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to form a paste. Rub evenly over 16 oz chicken thighs.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, then serve with roasted asparagus.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Lemon-Dill Chicken with Roasted Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Dill Chicken with Roasted 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Dill Chicken with Roasted 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Dill Chicken with Roasted 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Lemon-Dill Chicken with Roasted Asparagus?
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
- ★★★★★
Quick and delicious! Will make again.
- ★★★★★
My family loved this chicken. The asparagus was perfectly roasted.
- ★★★★★
This was my go-to dinner for the week! The lemon-dill sauce was amazing.