Lemon Pepper Chicken (Printable Version)

Tender chicken seasoned with zesty lemon and black pepper, roasted to juicy perfection in 35 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds)

→ Marinade & Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Garnish (optional)

08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
09 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better seasoning adherence.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, black pepper, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic until well combined.
03 - Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 10–15 minutes while preheating the oven or pan.
04 - To roast: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. To pan-sear: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil, then cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
05 - Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The lemon and pepper combo creates this irresistible zing that wakes up your tastebuds without being overwhelming
  • It comes together so quickly you can make it on busy weeknights but impressive enough for Sunday dinner
  • The marinade keeps the chicken incredibly juicy while developing a gorgeous golden crust
02 -
  • Dry your chicken really thoroughly before marinating or the seasonings will slide right off instead of adhering properly
  • Do not skip the resting period, cutting too early lets all those delicious juices run out onto your cutting board
  • Freshly cracked pepper matters, the pre-ground stuff lacks those punchy aromatic oils that make this dish sing
03 -
  • Marinate at room temperature for maximum flavor penetration, but do not go longer than 30 minutes or the lemon will start breaking down the meat texture
  • Invest in a good instant-read thermometer, guessing doneness is how good chicken becomes disappointing chicken
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