Perfect Proportion Lemon Herb Chicken & Asparagus

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-04 · Updated 2026-04-04

A harmonious dish featuring perfectly seared chicken breast with crisp-tender asparagus and a glossy, savory-sweet glaze that embodies culinary balance. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs (340g) chicken breast, (450g) asparagus, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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

• 12 oz (340g) chicken breast
• 1 lb (450g) asparagus
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil to the skillet over medium heat, then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant without browning.
3. Step 3: Add asparagus to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender; return chicken to skillet, then stir in soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water, cooking until sauce thickens and coats ingredients evenly, about 2 minutes.