Lemon Pepper Chicken Flavor (Printable)

Tender chicken seasoned with lemon zest and black pepper, roasted or pan-seared to juicy perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.32 pounds)

→ Marinade & Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Garnish (optional)

08 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
09 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry thoroughly with paper towels.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, freshly cracked black pepper, sea salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and minced garlic until well combined.
03 - Add chicken breasts to the bowl, tossing gently to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes while heating oven or skillet.
04 - To roast, preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast 20 to 25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Alternatively, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil, and pan-sear chicken 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
05 - Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve alongside lemon wedges.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes restaurant-quality but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The bright lemon and cracked pepper create a flavor that doesn't need cream or heavy sauces to shine.
  • It works whether you're in the mood to roast or pan-sear, so you're never stuck with one method.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time or your chicken will be dry no matter how perfectly you cooked it—those five minutes are non-negotiable.
  • If your chicken breasts are thick, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook uniformly instead of drying out on the edges while the center catches up.
03 -
  • Zest your lemon with a microplane zester instead of a box grater—it gives you finer zest that distributes better and tastes less bitter.
  • If you forget to marinate, don't panic—even 5 minutes makes a difference, and the lemon juice still does its job during cooking.
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