This Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus recipe is light and packed with flavor, for a quick and delicious dinner! It’s fast and easy… Perfect for spring dinners, and busy weeknights!
Spring is one of our favorite times of the year when everything, including asparagus, comes alive after winter! Asparagus is one of the first spring vegetables available, and we love to eat it this time of year… When it’s fresh!
Lemon Chicken with Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the first vegetables to harvest in spring.
When you pair asparagus with chicken, garlic, and lemon, you have a winning combination. (If asparagus is not available to you, green beans also go nicely with this!)
The lemon and garlic in this recipe add a bright, fresh, flavor that’s perfect for the season. Lemons’ zesty citrus flavor pairs perfectly with the tender chicken and crisp asparagus, for a refreshing and light dish that’s perfect for warmer weather.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless medium chicken breasts
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- lemon zest from 1 lemon
- lemon slices for garnish (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1/2 a teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
How to Make Lemon Chicken with Asparagus
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Turn the chicken to coat it evenly with the marinade, and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons butter to a non-stick large skillet or cast iron pan and heat to medium heat.
- Pan-sear your chicken pieces just till they are golden brown… Do not try to cook all the way in the pan. They will finish cooking in the oven.
- Remove browned chicken breast from the hot skillet and arrange them in a single layer with asparagus in the baking dish with the marinade.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the asparagus is tender. Right cooking time will vary depending on your stove and chicken breasts.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Internal Temperature
The FDA recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This is the temperature at which harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli are killed, ensuring that the chicken is safe to eat.
To check the internal temperature of the chicken, you can use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. Wait a few seconds for the thermometer to register the temperature, and then check to see if it has reached 165°F (74°C).
Recipe Card
Lemon Chicken with Asparagus
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless medium chicken breasts
- 1 pound fresh asparagus tough ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- lemon zest from 1 lemon
- lemon slices for garnish optional
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1/2 a teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Place boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Turn the chicken to coat it evenly with the marinade, and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons butter to a non-stick large skillet or cast iron pan and heat to medium heat.
- Pan-sear your chicken pieces just till they are golden brown… Do not try to cook all the way in the pan. They will finish cooking in the oven.
- Remove browned chicken breast from the hot skillet and arrange them in a single layer with asparagus in the baking dish with the marinade.
- Bake lemon chicken with asparagus for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the asparagus is tender. Right cooking time will vary depending on your stove and chicken breasts.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
To use lemon pepper seasoning in this recipe, you can sprinkle it over the chicken breasts along with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This will ensure that the chicken is evenly seasoned and will have a nice lemony flavor.
How to Store Leftovers
When it comes to storing leftover lemon garlic chicken with asparagus, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that the dish stays fresh and delicious.
If you’re using plastic wrap to store the leftovers, make sure that the chicken and asparagus are wrapped tightly. This helps prevent air from getting in and causing the food to spoil or dry out. Place the wrapped leftovers in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag to further protect them.
What to Serve with Lemon Chicken Recipe
There are a variety of side dishes that would complement the Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus recipe, depending on your taste preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
More Side Dish Ideas
- Loaded Potato Salad – This Idaho potato salad may not be “light” but it’s delicious and goes perfectly with Lemon Chicken.
The creaminess of the potato salad can balance out the zesty and tangy flavors of the lemon garlic chicken. The cool and rich potato salad can provide a nice contrast to the hot and savory chicken, making for a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
- Fresh strawberry salad! Strawberries are also fresh this time of year, and their bright sweet flavor go excellent with the lemon chicken!
- Pasta Salad – Need I say more? Pasta salad is a light, salad with fresh veggies that pairs perfectly with Lemon Chicken!
- Sweet potatoes, candied yams or Roasted Potatoes: Roasted potatoes are a classic side dish that pairs well with chicken.
- Quinoa Salad: If you’re looking for a lighter side dish, a quinoa salad would be a great option. The bright flavors and fresh ingredients complement the lemon and garlic flavors in the chicken.
- If you’re looking for something a little more indulgent, garlic bread would be a great option. Slice a baguette and brush it with a mixture of melted butter, garlic, and parsley, then bake it in the oven until golden and crispy.
- For a filling side dish, brown rice would be a great option. Cook rice in chicken broth for extra flavor and then serve it alongside the chicken and asparagus.
About Juliea
Juliea Huffaker is the creator of Farmhouse Harvest, and dedicated to teaching from-scratch cooking, sourdough baking, gardening, and food preservation. With over 25 years of hands-on experience she has preserved hundreds of jars of produce, mastered the art of meats and sourdough baking, and nurtured a thriving organic garden. Her recipes and articles have been featured across the web. And she’s passionate about inspiring others to embrace a simpler, self-sufficient life style.
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