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Easy One-Pan Lemon Butter Chicken and Asparagus

one-pan lemon butter chicken and asparagus - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan recipe featuring juicy lemon butter chicken breasts and crisp asparagus, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 to 1.5 pounds / 450 to 680 grams)
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed (about 1 pound / 450 grams)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (45 grams)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (60 ml), low sodium preferred
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim tough ends off asparagus and pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
  2. Season chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme on both sides.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Avoid moving them too much to form a crust.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Push chicken to one side of the pan. Add butter and minced garlic to the empty side. Stir gently until butter melts and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and chicken broth to the pan. Stir to combine.
  6. Nestle trimmed asparagus into the pan alongside the chicken, turning them in the sauce to coat well.
  7. Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 8-10 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and asparagus is tender but still crisp.
  8. Halfway through roasting, baste chicken with pan juices for extra flavor.
  9. Remove from oven and let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with lemon butter sauce spooned over chicken and asparagus.

Notes

If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer chicken and asparagus to a baking dish after searing, pour the sauce over, then roast. Watch asparagus closely to avoid overcooking. The lemon butter sauce may thicken as it cools; drizzle it over the chicken when serving. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Chicken thighs can be used but require longer roasting time.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter chicken, one-pan chicken recipe, asparagus chicken, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/easy-one-pan-lemon-butter-chicken-and-asparagus-recipe-to-try-today/