Steamed Half-Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce

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

Tender chicken halves steamed with fresh herbs and finished with a fragrant garlic butter sauce. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs chicken halves, lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse and pat dry 2 chicken halves (about 2 lbs). Rub evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary.
  2. Step 2: Pour 1/4 cup lemon juice and 2 tbsp olive oil over the chicken, coating thoroughly. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Step 3: In a large skillet or shallow pan, add 1 cup water and place a steaming rack inside. Bring water to a simmer over medium heat.
  4. Step 4: Place marinated chicken halves on the steaming rack, cover with a lid, and steam for 25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is tender.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden but not burnt.
  6. Step 6: Remove the chicken from the steamer and transfer to a serving plate. Drizzle the garlic butter sauce generously over the chicken halves before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Steamed Half-Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Steamed Half-Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

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 chicken halves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Half-Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

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 Steamed Half-Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce 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 Steamed Half-Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Mediterranean 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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