Ready for a quick and flavorful meal? Lemon pepper chicken checks all the boxes. Tender chicken breast meets the zesty punch of lemon and pepper, creating a healthy and satisfying dish.
In only 20 minutes, you’ll have a meal that’s perfect for busy evenings or last-minute cravings.
So, if you're craving a fulfilling meal that is hassle-free, then you're in the right place. Fast, flavorful, and versatile enough to be served with just about all of your favorite side dishes, this lemon pepper chicken recipe is one that you will want to come back to.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This easy lemon pepper chicken recipe works exceptionally well due to its simplicity, quick preparation, and versatility.
It combines basic ingredients—chicken, lemon, pepper, and optional herbs—into a flavorful dish that's easy to make even for beginner cooks.
Despite its simplicity, this dish delivers on flavor. The combination of tangy lemon zest, robust pepper, and savory chicken creates a harmonious balance that's both satisfying and refreshing.
What really makes this lemon pepper chicken recipe a standout is its customizability. You can adjust the seasoning levels to suit personal taste preferences, whether preferring a more citrusy punch or a spicier kick from additional pepper. It's adaptable to various cooking methods too—whether grilled, baked, or sautéed—making it suitable for different kitchen setups and seasons.
Ingredients
Lemon Zest:
Lemon zest is one of the more important lemon pepper chicken ingredients as it provides the dish with its signature lemon flavor. To zest a lemon, use a microplane or fine grater. Hold the lemon and scrape its outer yellow skin lightly, avoiding the bitter white pith. Rotate the lemon to zest evenly.
Chicken:
The best cuts of chicken for lemon pepper chicken are boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. You can also use bone-in, skin-on cuts for added moisture and crispiness. If you want to try something other than chicken, turkey breasts or thighs are excellent substitutes, offering a similar texture and flavor profile. Additionally, firm tofu can be used to create a vegetarian lemon pepper chicken, as it absorbs the marinade beautifully for a delicious, plant-based dish.
Flour:
The chicken is dredged in flour to give it a light, crispy coating. However, you can also use coconut flour, rice flour, almond flour, or cornstarch to achieve a similar effect.
Lemon Juice:
If you are zesting a lemon for this recipe, cut it in half and it half of it for your lemon juice. You can also use the bottled lemon juice from concentrate if you prefer.
Butter:
The butter in this lemon pepper chicken recipe helps brown the chicken and creates a caramelized exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy during cooking. However, there are healthier or dairy-free alternatives available for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. Vegetable coconut, olive, and avocado oils, as well as ghee, can be used instead.
Parsley:
Parsley's fresh, herbaceous flavor complements the zesty citrus and peppery seasoning in this lemon pepper chicken skillet. Other herbs that work well include thyme, which adds a subtle earthiness, basil, which provides a sweet contrast to the tangy lemon, and rosemary which can be used for a more robust flavor that pairs nicely with chicken.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken
Step One:
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest.
Step Two:
Put the flour in a bowl or on a plate and dredge the chicken in it.
Step Three:
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Step Four:
Once the pan is hot, place the chicken in to cook for 3-5 minutes on each side to form a golden brown crust.
Step Five:
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon juice to deglaze the pan.
Step Six:
Once the lemon juice is simmering, add the butter, parsley, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and stir to incorporate.
Step Seven:
Bring the sauce to a simmer and add the chicken back to the pan. Saute the chicken in the sauce while continuously basting until the majority of the liquid has evaporated.
Step Eight:
Serve topped with fresh herbs and lemon slices, and enjoy!
Tips
- For the best lemon pepper chicken, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and pepper for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F for safe consumption.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping it moist and flavorful.
What to Serve With Lemon Pepper Chicken
When considering what to serve with lemon pepper chicken there are a variety of side dishes that pair wonderful to create a balanced and delicious meal. Serve it with fluffy jasmine rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the flavorful juices. Roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or carrots add a healthy and colorful touch, while a fresh green salad with a fresh lemon vinaigrette complements the zesty chicken perfectly.
For a heartier option, consider pairing it with pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic. Don't forget to include a slice of warm, buckwheat bread to round out the meal and make it truly satisfying.
If you need more inspiration, check out What To Serve With Lemon Pepper Chicken for 18 delicious ideas.
FAQs
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
To prevent your lemon pepper chicken from drying out, marinate it to retain moisture and enhance flavor. Cook the chicken over medium-high heat to brown it quickly without overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165F and avoid overcooking.
Can I make lemon pepper chicken on the grill or in the oven?
Yes, you can! To prepare your lemon pepper chicken on the grill, preheat it to medium-high, then grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165F. For baked lemon pepper chicken, simply preheat your oven to 400F and bake on a baking sheet for 25-30 minutes.
What's the best way to store leftover lemon pepper chicken?
Leftover lemon pepper chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap the chicken tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Chicken Recipes
If you're after a quick and easy chicken recipe like this lemon pepper chicken dinner recipe, then you're in luck. Today, we've got a collection of some of our favorite easy chicken recipes to help you get inspired for your next meal.
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest divided
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest.
- Put the flour in a bowl or on a plate and dredge the chicken in it.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the pan is hot, place the chicken in to cook for 3-5 minutes on each side to form a golden brown crust.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon juice to deglaze the pan.
- Once the lemon juice is simmering, add the butter, parsley, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and stir to incorporate.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and add the chicken back to the pan. Saute the chicken in the sauce while continuously basting until the majority of the liquid has evaporated.
- Serve topped with fresh herbs and lemon slices, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Notes
- For the best lemon pepper chicken, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and pepper for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F for safe consumption.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping it moist and flavorful.
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