Name: Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Italian, American
Ingredients: Marinade:; 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice or orange juice ( save the lemon or orange to slice and bake the chicken with); 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 4 large garlic cloves sliced; 4 fresh basil leaves; 2 teaspoons dried oregano or a few fresh sprigs; 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or 2 teaspoons dried; 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary; salt and pepper to taste; 4 - boneless chicken breasts sliced lengthwise around 1/2 inch in thickness and fat trimmed off; Note: Do not use chicken tenders these are too thin to use); Fresh lemon slices (around 4 or 5 slices); Optional Garnish: fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley just for the plate and lemon wedges or slices

This is a Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken with a nice little tang taste from a fresh savory flavored marinade.

You may also like our Lemon Chicken Cutlets as the chicken is breaded or we also make another version with Lemon Chicken with Linguine Pasta both are delicious to try for lemon lovers.

If you're a chicken breast lover who likes a bold lemony flavor, this one needs to be added to your weekly menu for meal planning.

Scroll down to our printable recipe card and hit print for the full recipe, tips, and no ads!

lemon chicken unbreaded on a white plate with herbs and lemon slices

Easiest and Healthiest Lemon Chicken Steps (see recipe card below for exact measurements)

Whisk together all the marinade ingredients in a bowl
Slice the boneless chicken breast lengthwise
Add the marinade and chicken to a ziplock bag
Marinade the chicken for around 1 hour
Bake at 425 degrees for around 20 to 25 minutes
Note: using an instant-read thermometer is a must to ensure tender juicy chicken and it should read 165 degrees. Note: (You can find that tool under Kitchen Toy Shop on our Amazon Store Front Page ("paid affiliate link" see privacy policy disclaimer)

Stir Fry, Grill, or Air Fry Cooking Methods

For all methods, the internal temperature for cooking chicken is 165 degrees we prefer to use an instant-read meat thermometer:
Stir Fry: The chicken can be cubed instead of left whole and split. Drain the chicken with juice. Spray the frying pan with cooking oil. Stir fry the chicken for just a few minutes on each, add whatever vegetables you're using, and stir fry for around 7 minutes
Grill: Marinade the chicken for an hour then grill for 4 to 7 minutes on each side on a preheated grill use the instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is completed cooking and the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Air Fry: Drain the juices from the bag. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and spray the basket with cooking oil. Air fry the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes.
Slow Cooker: Add the raw chicken that's been marinaded to the slow cooker with some of the marinade and slow cook on high for 4 to 6 hours (this is best served over pasta or rice).

Shopping List You Will Need

chicken breasts boneless sliced in half lengthwise
extra virgin olive oil
fresh garlic
fresh basil leaves, fresh Italian parsley
salt, and pepper to taste
red wine vinegar
dried oregano
freshly squeezed lemon juice or orange juice
cooking spray
fresh lemon slices
Optional: fresh rosemary, thyme, and for people who like the heat cayenne pepper

Tips

cubed chicken can be used instead of whole for skewers
165 degrees using a meat thermometer is recommended for accurate doneness
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice
In a pinch use dried herbs
Organic chicken has the best texture
Use thick freezer bags or freezer containers for storing marinaded chicken
Boneless steak, pork, and venison can be substituted for chicken
Chicken cubes baked can be threaded with skewers after baking for an appetizer for hosting parties if not grilling
Fresh lime juice can be substituted for lemon juice or orange juice
Pork, Lamb, Veal, Venison, and Beef can be used in place of Chicken also
Try serving this chicken with one of our homemade dipping sauces recipes
This recipe and marinade can be frozen for future use, thaw first before proceeding to cook

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Mediterranean diet recipes , baked healthy lemon chicken, chicken marinade recipes, healthy marinade recipes, chicken recipes

chicken recipes, healthy chicken recipes, lemon chicken recipes

Mediterranean , Italian, American

Yield: 4

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Healthy Baked Lemon Chicken

This delicious healthy chicken baked with herbs and tangy fresh lemon flavor is a juicy never dry-cooked to perfection recipe.

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 35 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 40 M

Ingredients

Marinade:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice or orange juice ( save the lemon or orange to slice and bake the chicken with)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
4 large garlic cloves sliced
4 fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons dried oregano or a few fresh sprigs
3 tablespoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or 2 teaspoons dried
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
4 - boneless chicken breasts sliced lengthwise around 1/2 inch in thickness and fat trimmed off
Note: Do not use chicken tenders these are too thin to use)
Fresh lemon slices (around 4 or 5 slices)
Optional Garnish: fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley just for the plate and lemon wedges or slices

Instructions

Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl except chicken. Add this to a ziplock bag or covered container. Add the chicken and let marinate for around 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Oil spray a baking dish big enough for the chicken pieces.
Place the chicken in an oil-sprayed baking dish and drizzle just a little of the marinade on each piece including garlic cloves ( around 2 tablespoons each).
Add lemon slices to the baking dish randomly around the baking dish.
Bake at 425 degrees until the juices run clear in the chicken breast and the internal temperature is 165 degrees using an instant-read thermometer. This will vary to the thickness of the chicken. (Baking time varies between 20 and 30 minutes)
Serving suggestions: steamed vegetables or stir-fried sauteed vegetables.

Notes

Stir Fry, Grill, or Air Fry Methods

For all methods, the internal temperature for cooking chicken is 165 degrees we prefer to use an instant-read meat thermometer:
Stir Fry: The chicken can be cubed instead of left whole and split. Drain the chicken with juice. Spray the frying pan with cooking oil. Stir fry the chicken for just a few minutes on each, add whatever vegetables you're using, and stir fry for around 7 minutes
Grill: Marinade the chicken for an hour then grill for 4 to 7 minutes on each side on a preheated grill use the instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is completed cooking and the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Air Fry: Drain the juices from the bag. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees and spray the basket with cooking oil. Air fry the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes.
Slow Cooker: Add the raw chicken that's been marinaded to the slow cooker with some of the marinade and slow cook on high for 4 to 6 hours.

Tips

cubed chicken can be used instead of whole chicken breasts for skewers
165 degrees using a meat thermometer is recommended for accurate doneness
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice
In a pinch use dried herbs
Organic chicken has the best texture
Use thick freezer bags or freezer containers for storing marinaded chicken
Boneless steak, pork, and venison can be substituted for chicken
Chicken cubes baked can be threaded with skewers after baking for an appetizer for hosting parties if not grilling
Fresh lime juice can be substituted for lemon juice or orange juice
Pork, Lamb, Veal, Venison, and Beef can be used in place of Chicken also
Try serving this chicken with one of our homemade dipping sauce recipes
This recipe and marinade can be frozen for future use, thaw first before proceeding to cook

Nutrition Facts

Calories

367.67

Fat (grams)

16.46 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

2.75 g

Carbs (grams)

3.85 g

Fiber (grams)

0.85 g

Net carbs

3 g

Sugar (grams)

1.42 g

Protein (grams)

48.57 g

Sodium (milligrams)

312.86 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

144.64 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.