Quick and Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken
Bright, zesty, and irresistibly flavorful, this Quick and Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken is your new go-to recipe for a fast yet satisfying dinner. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this dish features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts infused with fragrant lemon juice, zesty lemon zest, and a perfectly balanced seasoning of black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. A drizzle of olive oil ensures a beautifully golden crust, while a touch of fresh parsley adds an optional pop of color and freshness. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, a crisp side salad, or fluffy rice. Elevate your weeknight cooking with this easy, healthy, and crowd-pleasing chicken recipe!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 whole lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder.
Zest the lemon to obtain about 1 teaspoon of zest. Then, cut the lemon in half and juice one half. Reserve the other half for garnish or additional juice, if needed.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes on the first side, without moving them, until golden brown.
Flip the chicken and cook on the other side for an additional 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
In the last minute of cooking, drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle the lemon zest on top.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately. Pair with a side of roasted vegetables, salad, or rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
849 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.8 g | 52% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.9 g | 40% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 296 mg | 99% | |
| Sodium | 2621 mg | 114% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7.0 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 108.8 g | 218% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 66 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 4.4 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 1013 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
