Hey there! Are you looking for a super simple, incredibly delicious, and protein packed meal that you can whip up without a fuss? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re making something amazing: Lemon Herb Baked Chicken Breast. It’s so easy, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it every week. Plus, it’s packed with protein to keep you feeling full and energized. Let’s get cooking!
What You’ll Need for This Tasty Dish
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to kitchen success. For this recipe, you won’t need anything too fancy. Most of these items are probably already in your pantry or fridge. Here’s what you should have on hand:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.5 pounds, which is usually 3 to 4 breasts)
- Half a cup of fresh lemon juice
- Half a cup of olive oil
- Three quarters of a teaspoon of garlic powder
- Half a teaspoon of dried dill
- Three quarters of a teaspoon of dried oregano
- Half a teaspoon of ground fennel seed
- One and a half teaspoons of kosher salt
- Black pepper, to your liking
- Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Let’s Get This Chicken Cooking!
Now for the fun part! Making this lemon herb chicken is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a fantastic meal ready in no time. We’re going to make a quick marinade, let the chicken soak it up, and then bake it to juicy perfection. You can even marinate it for a bit longer if you have the time, which makes it even more flavorful.
- Prep the Marinade: Grab a medium-sized bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, dried dill, dried oregano, ground fennel seed, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix it all up until it looks well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add your chicken breasts to the bowl with the marinade. Turn each piece of chicken so it’s completely covered and sits nicely in the marinade. Cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or if you have more time, up to 2 hours.
- Preheat Your Oven: When you’re ready to cook, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Bake the Chicken: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup super easy! Take the chicken out of the marinade and place it on the prepared baking sheet. You can discard the extra marinade.
- Roast to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for about 18 to 25 minutes. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius). For a little extra color, you can switch your oven to broil for the last 2 to 3 minutes, but watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!
- Rest and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the oven. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep it super juicy. If you like, you can sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top for a little extra color and freshness.
What’s Inside This Delicious Dish?
This Lemon Herb Baked Chicken Breast is not only tasty but also a nutritional powerhouse. We’ve looked at the numbers to give you a clear picture of what you’re eating. A typical serving (based on about 4 ounces of cooked chicken breast from this recipe) offers a fantastic amount of protein.
You’re looking at roughly 22 grams of protein per serving. The calories are around 140 per serving, and it’s super low in carbohydrates, with about 3 grams of total carbs. It’s a lean and mean protein machine!
Why This Chicken is Great for Your Body
Eating enough protein is super important for all sorts of things your body does. This Lemon Herb Baked Chicken Breast is a fantastic way to fuel yourself. The high protein content is awesome for building and repairing muscles. After you exercise, your muscles need protein to recover and grow stronger.
Beyond muscle building, protein is essential for keeping you feeling full and satisfied, which can help manage your weight. Chicken itself is a lean protein source, meaning it gives you a lot of protein without a lot of extra fat. Plus, the lemon and herbs in this recipe add flavor and can support digestion. This meal is a winner for overall health and staying energized.
Disclaimer: This recipe information is provided by azeely.com for general informational purposes only.
