Zesty Lemon Chicken
Here’s a bright and zesty lemon chicken recipe that’s simple, fresh, and full of flavor:
Servings
4
Ready In:
1hrs 15min
Calories:
280
Good For:
Lunch
Inroduction
About this Recipe
Serving size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz cooked with marinade absorbed)
Macronutrients (approx.)
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Calories: ~280
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Protein: 36 g
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Carbohydrates: 4 g
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Fiber: <1 g
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Sugars: 2 g (mainly from lemon + honey if used)
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Fat: 12 g
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Saturated fat: 2 g
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Unsaturated fat: 10 g
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Cholesterol: ~100 mg
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Sodium: ~350 mg (varies by how much salt you add)
Micronutrients (approx.)
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Vitamin C: ~35–40% of daily value (from fresh lemon juice & zest)
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Vitamin B6: ~25% DV (from chicken)
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Niacin (B3): ~50% DV (from chicken)
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Phosphorus: ~20% DV
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Selenium: ~40% DV
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Potassium: ~500 mg
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs if you prefer juicier meat)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 2 lemons (about ½ cup)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, balances acidity)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds depth)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon slices, for serving
We’ll give you a breakdown of the nutrition facts for a typical serving of zesty lemon chicken (based on the recipe provided, using boneless, skinless chicken breasts and no cream/butter).
Nutrition
Serving size: 1 chicken breast (about 6 oz cooked with marinade absorbed)
- Protein 35%
- Carbs 28%
- Calories 12%
- Potassium 25%
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Marinate the chicken
Step 2
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
Step 3
Add chicken and coat well. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight in the fridge).
Step 4
Cook the chicken
Step 5
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
Step 6
Add chicken and cook 5–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness), until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
Step 6
Finish with freshness
Step 6
Spoon any extra marinade into the pan and let it bubble for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened (optional).
Step 7
Top chicken with chopped parsley/basil and fresh lemon slices.
Step 8
Serving Ideas – Serve with roasted veggies, quinoa, or a crisp salad. Pairs beautifully with garlic rice or couscous. For a Mediterranean twist, add olives and capers to the sauce.
People Who’ve Made This
“What I love about chicken is its diversity. If you cook it just right, add some lemon and you have a very great dish. This recipe worked perfectly for me!”
“It really does taste zesty! But, I got carried away with the youtube video and I tried a few of my own tricks. But this was a wonderful starter recipe to build on.”