Lemon Pepper Chicken is a perfectly tender and juicy recipe that anyone can make! You will love the rich flavor and various pairing options!
Lemon Pepper Chicken is the perfect Chicken Dinner to make on busy weeknights. It’s easy to prep and the chicken cooks quickly. If you’re looking for more easy and delicious chicken dishes, try my Salt and Vinegar Chicken and Sour Cream Chicken next.
Sabrina’s Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
This Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients but packed with delicious flavor! The bold seasonings make the chicken zesty and savory, which provides lots of options for pairing!
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts , boneless skinless
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning , (Recipe below in Variations Section)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut the chicken breasts into 6 thin cutlets.
- Season chicken with oil, then sprinkle the lemon pepper seasoning over the chicken.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
Notes
- Click on the “yield” amount to slide and change the number of servings and the recipe will automatically update!
- Click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
- To convert measurements to grams, click on the “Metric” option next to “Ingredients” in the recipe card.
Nutrition
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Sabrina’s Tips
For the easiest way to guarantee my chicken is done right each and every time, I like to use a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This guarantees my chicken will be cooked thoroughly but won’t dry out! Perfectly juicy chicken, every time!
Table of contents
About this Recipe
My Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe gives you an easy and delicious way to cook chicken! The oil, seasonings, and quick cook time keep the chicken juicy and super tasty. After you slice up your chicken, mix lemon zest, black pepper, salt, garlic, and onion powder to make the lemon pepper seasoning. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and sprinkle the seasoning on top. Bake until chicken is cooked through but still tender. The result? Juicy and flavorful chicken with a tangy kick. It’s an easy, yummy dish perfect for any busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: The cut of chicken used in this recipe is easy to cut into thick chicken breast filets. It only takes a little bit of oil and seasoning to flavor the meat, and after baking, you get perfectly juicy chicken breasts.
- ¼ cup Vegetable Oil: Olive oil not only adds a rich, savory flavor but also helps keep the chicken moist during baking. You can use vegetable oil or melted butter as alternatives. I are using olive oil in this recipe.
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning: The homemade lemon pepper blend infuses the chicken with a zesty, citrusy taste, enhancing its overall appeal. You can opt for store-bought lemon pepper seasoning if desired. A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice can be added to each chicken filet at the end to give it an extra zing!
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a subtle but essential hint of garlic flavor, complementing the lemony notes. Fresh minced cloves garlic can be used as a substitute.
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder: Onion powder contributes mild, savory undertones, enhancing the overall seasoning profile. Finely chopped fresh onions or onion flakes can be used as alternatives if preferred.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the lemon pepper chicken ahead of time by seasoning and refrigerating the chicken cutlets a day in advance. When ready to cook, simply bake them in the oven! You can also bake them, cool them, and freeze them individually wrapped for up to 3 months for the freshest taste!
Pairing Suggestions
Lemon Pepper Chicken’s zesty flavor pairs well with a variety of accompaniments. Try my Easy Roasted Vegetables to add texture and flavor, or my Butter Rice for a creamy, filling, and comforting match. You could also pair this juicy chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Green Beans. Most of your favorite side dishes would taste amazing with this flavorful and lemony chicken.
How to Store
- Store: Don’t leave this chicken recipe at room temperature for more than 2 hours. You can cover your plate in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or transfer chicken to an airtight container for storage. The dish will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave with a damp paper towel or use an oven on medium-high heat with foil to keep it moist. Avoid overheating and add a little broth or water if needed. For crispy texture, use an uncovered oven or air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 370º.
- Freeze: Make sure to let the chicken cool down before you store it. You can carefully seal cool chicken in a freezer bag and freeze the recipe for up to 3 months.
Ideas to Serve
You can add to the delicious lemon pepper flavor by topping the chicken off with a homemade buttery lemon garlic and herb sauce. The sauce only takes 5 minutes and you can make it on the stovetop while the chicken cooks so it’s still great for busy weeknights.
Homemade Butter Lemon Garlic Herb Sauce
- To make the buttery lemon garlic herb sauce add 2 sticks of cubed butter to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Melt the butter then add 3 tablespoons lemon juice, and a sprinkling of lemon zest.
- Next, mix 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs with the butter mixture. You can add your choice of herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, or coriander. Add ½ teaspoon garlic puree and black pepper to taste.
- Simmer the lemon pepper chicken sauce for 3 minutes, then turn off the heat.
- Pour the sauce over chicken for extra buttery flavor.
Frequent Questions
Yes, chicken thighs can be used as a substitute. Add about 5 minutes of cooking time if needed, as thighs may take slightly longer to cook.
Certainly, store-bought lemon pepper seasoning is a convenient alternative. However, making your own blend offers more control over the flavors.
You can use fresh minced garlic or finely chopped onions as substitutes in the same quantity for a similar taste.
Variations
- Skinless Chicken Thighs: You can use the same lemon pepper seasoning to make a baked chicken thigh recipe. Just remember that chicken thighs take longer to cook through than chicken breasts.
- Seasonings: Add extra flavor to the chicken recipe with seasonings like fresh parsley, rosemary, mint, or basil. You can also use a ready-made spice blend like Italian seasoning.
- Breaded Chicken: You can make an easy chicken breading with flour, parmesan cheese, and eggs. Whisk two eggs until blended. Then add ¾ cup plain flour, ¼ cup grated parmesan, and the seasoning from the recipe ingredients to a shallow bowl. Dredge the chicken in the egg mixture. Then coat each piece of chicken in the flour and spice mixture. Tap any excess flour off on the side. Bake the crusted chicken until crispy and cooked through.
Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Ingredients
- 3 lemons, zested
- 3 tablespoons coarse ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine lemon zest and black pepper.
- Line a small baking sheet with foil and spread mixture evenly in pan.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes on low until zest is completely dried.
- Transfer lemon-pepper mixture to a bowl.
- Using a spice grinder if you have one (or a rolling pin over a ziplock bag full of the spice mixture), crush until the mixture is evenly sized.
- Mix in salt, 1 tsp at a time continue to add salt until you have your desired taste.
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