why make this recipe
This lemon garlic chicken is bright, simple, and fast. You get a tasty main dish with vegetables on one pan or a flavorful chicken you can grill or bake after a short marinade. It works for weeknights and for guests.
introduction
This recipe shows two easy ways: a sheet pan with potatoes and broccoli, or a lemon-garlic marinade for grilling or baking. Both use lemon, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper. You can pick the method that fits your time and tools.
how to make Lemon Garlic Chicken
Sheet pan method:
- Toss chicken, potatoes, and broccoli with a lemon-garlic mix. Spread on a sheet pan and roast until the chicken is cooked and veggies are tender. This gives a full meal on one pan and less clean up.
Marinade method:
- Mix lemon, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours. Grill or bake the chicken until it reaches a safe internal temperature. This gives more lemon flavor in the meat.
Ingredients :
Sheet pan (serves 4)
- 4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 lb small potatoes, halved or cut
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (zest and juice of 1, slices from the other)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Marinade (serves 4)
- 4 boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions :
Sheet pan method
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Toss potatoes with half the sauce. Place on a sheet pan in one layer.
- Roast potatoes 15 minutes.
- Toss chicken and broccoli with the remaining sauce. Add lemon slices on top.
- Add chicken and broccoli to the pan with potatoes. Roast 18–25 more minutes, until chicken is cooked (165°F/74°C) and broccoli is tender.
- Let rest 5 minutes, then serve.
Marinade method
- In a bowl, whisk olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest, honey (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken in a shallow dish or zip bag. Pour marinade over chicken. Chill 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Preheat grill or oven to medium-high (or 400°F/200°C for oven).
- Grill chicken 6–8 minutes per side (time varies by thickness) until 165°F (74°C) internal temp. Or bake 20–25 minutes in oven.
- Rest chicken 5 minutes before slicing.
how to serve Lemon Garlic Chicken
Serve the sheet pan straight from the oven. Plate chicken with potatoes and broccoli. Add extra lemon wedges. For marinated chicken, slice and serve with rice, salad, or steamed vegetables. A light green salad or simple couscous works well.
how to store Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Use a freezer bag or sealed container.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave in short bursts to avoid drying.
tips to make Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Pound thicker chicken pieces for even cooking.
- Do not overcook chicken; use a meat thermometer for best results.
- If roasting vegetables, cut them to similar sizes so they cook evenly.
- Add lemon zest for more fresh flavor without extra acid.
- Marinate at least 30 minutes but not much longer than 8 hours for best texture.
variation (if any)
- Use bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks; increase cooking time for the sheet pan.
- Swap potatoes for sweet potatoes or baby carrots.
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Make it spicy: add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the sauce.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen broccoli for the sheet pan?
A: Yes, but thaw and pat dry to avoid soggy results. Add frozen broccoli later in the bake so it does not overcook.
Q: How long can I marinate the chicken?
A: Marinate 30 minutes to 4 hours for best flavor. Avoid marinating more than 8–12 hours, or the acid can change the meat texture.
Q: Can I use lemon juice concentrate instead of fresh lemons?
A: Fresh lemon is best for flavor, but you can use bottled lemon juice. Use about 2–3 tbsp for one lemon, and add a little zest if you can.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free and gluten-free?
A: Yes. The basic recipe has no dairy or gluten. Check any added sides or seasonings to be sure.
Q: What is a good side for marinated chicken?
A: Simple sides work well: rice, salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Conclusion
For a ready sheet-pan meal with vegetables, this version works well and saves time — see a similar sheet pan idea at Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Broccoli. If you prefer a crisp, cheesy potato with broccoli, you can look at another sheet pan take here: Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Broccoli with Parmesan Potatoes. For a simple grilled or baked lemon garlic chicken, this recipe gives clear steps like the guide found at Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe – Carlsbad Cravings.
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
Sheet Pan Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 lb small potatoes, halved or cut
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pieces lemons (zest and juice of 1, slices from the other)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh chopped
- to taste Salt and pepper
Marinade Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pieces lemons (juice and zest)
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Sheet Pan Method
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Toss potatoes with half the sauce. Place on a sheet pan in one layer.
- Roast potatoes for 15 minutes.
- Toss chicken and broccoli with the remaining sauce. Add lemon slices on top.
- Add chicken and broccoli to the pan with potatoes. Roast for 18–25 more minutes, until chicken is cooked (165°F/74°C) and broccoli is tender.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve.
Marinade Method
- In a bowl, whisk olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest, honey (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken in a shallow dish or zip bag. Pour marinade over chicken. Chill for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Preheat grill or oven to medium-high (or 400°F/200°C for oven).
- Grill chicken for 6–8 minutes per side (time varies by thickness) until it reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temp. Alternatively, bake for 20–25 minutes in the oven.
- Rest chicken for 5 minutes before slicing.
