This easy Lemon Garlic Chicken is one of those simple dinners that can make chicken breasts taste anything but boring. The chicken is marinated with fresh lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, then cooked until juicy and flavorful.

You can make it in a skillet for beautifully golden edges or bake it in the oven when you want a more hands-off dinner. Serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, potatoes, or a fresh salad for an easy weeknight meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to prepare: The marinade takes only a few minutes to mix.
• Fresh and flavorful: Lemon and garlic give the chicken a bright, savory flavor.
• Two cooking options: Cook it on the stovetop or bake it in the oven.
• Great for meal prep: Leftovers are perfect for salads, wraps, and lunch bowls.
• Simple ingredients: Nothing complicated is needed.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken

1. Make the Marinade

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Add the chicken breasts and turn them several times until they are evenly coated with the marinade.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. You can also marinate the chicken overnight, but don’t leave it in the marinade for more than 24 hours.

3. Stovetop Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for about 4–8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken.

The chicken is done when the thickest part reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.

Remove it from the skillet and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

4. Oven Method

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

Place the marinated chicken breasts in a baking dish, leaving a little space between each piece. Add a few lemon slices on top if you like.

Bake for about 16–22 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for Juicy Lemon Garlic Chicken

Don’t overcook the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, so a meat thermometer is the easiest way to get perfectly cooked chicken.

Keep the pieces similar in size. If your chicken breasts are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.

Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Give the chicken enough room to brown properly. If the pan is too crowded, the chicken may steam instead of developing a golden crust.

Let it rest before slicing. A few minutes of resting helps keep the chicken juicy.

Want a sweeter flavor? Add 1–2 tablespoons of honey to the marinade for a delicious sweet and tangy version.

What to Serve With Lemon Garlic Chicken

This chicken goes well with almost any simple side dish. Try serving it with roasted potatoes, white rice, steamed broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or a fresh garden salad.

For a lighter meal, slice the chicken and serve it over a salad with your favorite dressing. It also makes a great filling for wraps and sandwiches.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well with this lemon garlic marinade. They are naturally more tender and forgiving than chicken breasts.

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the thighs, so use a meat thermometer to make sure they are fully cooked.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover lemon garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

You can also freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

For the best texture, reheat the chicken in an oven, air fryer, or skillet. If using a microwave, heat it in short intervals to help prevent the chicken from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I marinate lemon garlic chicken?

Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour for good flavor. Overnight is fine, but avoid marinating it longer than 24 hours because the lemon juice can affect the texture.

Can I grill this chicken?

Absolutely. The same lemon garlic marinade works well for grilled chicken. Cook the chicken until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes. Cooked lemon garlic chicken can be portioned with rice and vegetables for easy lunches, or sliced and added to salads and wraps throughout the week.

Serving suggestion: Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices for an extra pop of fresh flavor.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Juicy lemon garlic chicken made with fresh lemon, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. This easy chicken dinner can be cooked on the stovetop or baked in the oven for a flavorful weeknight meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 22 minutes mins

Marinating Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 27 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz each)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium lemon zested and juiced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Cooking

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Method

 

1. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add the chicken and turn to coat well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
4. For the stovetop method, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4–8 minutes per side.
5. For the oven method, preheat the oven to 450°F and bake the chicken for 16–22 minutes.
6. Cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
7. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For the best results, use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking the chicken. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.