Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Asparagus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared with fresh lemon and garlic flavors, paired with tender roasted asparagus for a Whole30-compliant dinner. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 (whole30, gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb trimmed asparagus spears with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 12 minutes until tender and slightly crisp at edges.
  2. Step 2: While asparagus roasts, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place chicken in skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet during the last 2 minutes of cooking, stirring frequently until fragrant. Remove skillet from heat and drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over chicken.
  4. Step 4: Plate chicken alongside roasted asparagus, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Asparagus 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic 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-Garlic 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-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Asparagus for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Seared Lemon-Garlic Chicken with Roasted Asparagus whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free, paleo, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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