Lemon Pepper Chicken (Print-Friendly)

Tender chicken with zesty lemon and cracked black pepper, roasted or pan-seared to juicy perfection in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 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

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Pat chicken breasts thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, black pepper, sea salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic until fully combined.
03 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes while preheating your cooking equipment.
04 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange marinated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook chicken breasts 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through completely.
06 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of prep but tastes like something you would order at a restaurant
  • The lemon creates this irresistible tangy brightness that cuts through rich sides
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, if there are any
02 -
  • Dry the chicken thoroughly before marinating, or the seasoning will slide right off instead of sticking
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking makes a huge difference in juiciness, do not skip it
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so take it out of the fridge about 20 minutes before cooking
  • A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out and prevents overcooking
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