Juicy Lemon Pepper Baked Chicken Breast
A quick and easy baked chicken breast recipe featuring bright lemon and freshly cracked black pepper for a juicy, flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces or 170 grams each)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and melted butter until well combined.
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Place chicken breasts in the bowl with marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let sit for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour in the fridge.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Spoon any leftover marinade over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Slice against the grain and drizzle any pan juices over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
Use fresh lemons for best flavor. If dairy-free, omit butter or substitute with plant-based alternative. Do not over-marinate to avoid texture changes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. Rest chicken 5 minutes after baking to retain juices. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (ab
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 6
- Protein: 54
Keywords: lemon pepper chicken, baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, juicy chicken, quick dinner, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken