This lemon garlic chicken has become one of my go-to dinners. I first made it on a busy night when I wanted something easy, and it completely delivered. The lemon and garlic bring that perfect balance of tang and depth. If you’re after a quick, flavorful lemon garlic chicken breasts recipe, this one’s worth keeping on repeat. Recipe includes a how-to video!

Recipe

This lemon garlic chicken breast recipe is one I turn to again and again. It uses everyday ingredients, chicken breast, lemon, and garlic, but the flavor is so much more than the effort it takes.

It’s one of those easy chicken breast recipes that feels fresh and satisfying every time.

It reminds me of the kind of food I grew up eating, simple, full of flavor, and made with good extra virgin olive oil, herbs, and citrus.

I like to slice the chicken breasts into cutlets so they cook evenly and soak up all the marinade.

The mix of lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and spices comes together fast, and I usually toss everything in one bowl, then let it sit in the fridge while I get on with my day.

When it’s time to cook, a quick sear on each side is all it needs. No complicated steps, just real, tasty food. Whether you’re searching for chicken breast dinner ideas or easy recipes using chicken breast, this one is always a solid choice.

If you’ve been looking for a flavorful chicken breast recipe for dinner that’s simple but feels special, this is the one I always come back to.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Lemon Garlic Chicken
🧾Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken
📖Variations
🍽 What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Chicken
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🐓More Chicken Recipes to Try!
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Lemon Garlic Chicken

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these pantry basics already on hand.
Quick to Prepare: Slicing the chicken into cutlets means everything cooks faster, perfect for busy nights.
Bright, Fresh Flavors: The lemon and garlic combination makes the chicken taste light and flavorful without being heavy.
Great for Meal Prep: Marinate ahead of time and cook when you're ready for an easy, satisfying meal.
Mediterranean Inspiration: With extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon, herbs, and garlic, it’s full of classic Mediterranean flavors I adore and grew up.

🧾Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this Lemon Garlic Chicken Breast recipe:

For the Chicken:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: I always go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they’re easy to slice into cutlets and they cook quickly without drying out.
Salt and Black Pepper: Just a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper is all you need to bring out the natural flavors of the chicken.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I love using a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for searing.

For the Chicken Marinade:

Lemons: Fresh lemons are a must for this recipe. They add that bright, tangy punch that makes the chicken taste so lively.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A little more extra virgin olive oil in the marinade helps keep the chicken juicy and carries all the flavors deep into the meat.
Garlic Cloves: I like to go heavy on the garlic; it gives the marinade a deep, garlicky base that really makes the chicken irresistible.
Italian Seasoning: I always keep Italian seasoning on hand because it’s such an easy way to layer in those Mediterranean herb flavors.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): When I’m feeling like a little extra warmth, a small pinch of red pepper flakes wakes up the whole dish without making it spicy.
Italian Parsley: I love adding fresh parsley at the end; it gives a pop of color and a light, clean finish that pulls everything together beautifully.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Prep and Season: Slice the chicken into cutlets, season with salt and pepper, then add to a bowl with garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and parsley.

2. Marinate: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

3. Cook: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat with extra virgin olive oil. Cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

4. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving to keep it juicy.

📖Variations

Swap the Herbs: I sometimes use fresh oregano instead of parsley when I want a slightly different herby flavor.
Make it Creamy: After cooking the chicken, I love adding a splash of cream to the pan for a light lemon garlic sauce that feels a little extra special.
Grill it: On warm days, I like grilling the chicken instead of pan-searing it; it gives a delicious smoky flavor that works so well with the marinade.
Turn up the Heat: When I’m in the mood for a little extra kick, I add more red pepper flakes to the marinade for a gentle, warming spice.
Try it with Thighs: If you prefer darker meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs work just as beautifully and stay extra juicy.

🍽 What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Chicken

I love serving Lemon Garlic Chicken with a fresh tomato burrata salad or a crisp Greek salad to keep the meal light and colorful.

A slice of warm garlic bread or crusty ciabatta is perfect for soaking up the lemony juices.

If I’m craving something cozy, lemon rice or roasted potato wedges make a great pairing. For an extra touch, a little tzatziki on the side adds a cool, creamy contrast that fits the Mediterranean flavors beautifully.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Use a Glass or Ceramic Dish: I always prefer marinating in glass or ceramic, as lemon juice can sometimes react with metal bowls.

Shake the Bag Halfway: If you’re marinating in a bag, I like to give it a gentle shake halfway through to make sure all the pieces get coated well.

Let the Skillet Preheat Fully: Waiting a few extra minutes until the skillet is properly hot helps you get that beautiful golden sear.

Don’t Wipe off the Marinade: I leave a little bit of the herbs and garlic clinging to the chicken when cooking; it adds so much extra flavor.

Store Leftovers Properly: I like to store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge; it stays fresh for up to 3 days and makes amazing salads or wraps the next day!