Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my lemon garlic chicken recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, but if you prefer dark meat, you can easily make lemon garlic chicken thighs.
• Oil – I like the flavor of olive oil here, but avocado oil also works well. You can swap in melted butter for more flavor for the oven method, but I don’t recommend it for pan searing.
• Lemon – You’ll need both the lemon zest and the juice. And I always save extra lemon slices for garnish!
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic has the best flavor, but you can substitute 2 teaspoons of jarred minced garlic or even 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder for convenience.
• Seasonings – Fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Feel free to swap in other herbs you’ve got, like oregano, rosemary, or thyme.

VARIATION: Make the marinade a little sweet!

You can add 1-2 tablespoons of honey (I prefer to use this sugar-free honey) to the marinade if you like a subtle sweet taste.

How To Make Lemon Garlic Chicken

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade:

No matter how I’m cooking this lemon garlic chicken, it starts with this simple-but-amazing marinade:

• Mix it up. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Add the chicken. Turn to coat, and refrigerate for at least an hour. (I marinate right in the bowl, but you can do it in a zip lock bag if you like.)

Cooking Options:

• Stovetop: I used this method for the garlic lemon chicken in my pictures here. It creates beautiful (and flavorful) browning! Just sear in olive oil over medium heat.
• Oven: The oven method doesn’t get the nice browning, but it’s a great hands-off option! Just pop the chicken in the oven (I use this baking dish most often).

I like a sprinkle of fresh parsley and lemon slices or wedges for garnish. Don’t forget to drizzle your lemon garlic chicken with the sauce from the bottom of the pan!

Serving Ideas

I make this lemon garlic chicken recipe year round, but I particularly love it in the spring and summer. Here are my favorite seasonal sides with it:

• Vegetables – Since this dish is so quick, I recommend an equally fast side dish, like sauteed asparagus, roasted romanesco, air fryer green beans, or Instant Pot broccoli. If you’re feeling fancy, my cheesy asparagus casserole pairs really well!
• Starches – You can roast some potatoes or cook up some rice for a filling side, but Greek lemon potatoes are my fave with this meal. For lighter options, try my mashed cauliflower or roasted rutabaga.
• Salads – Sometimes I just toss this lemon garlic chicken into a salad and call it a day (for lunch or dinner). It works nicely in my artichoke salad or spring salad. Or just serve Greek salad on the side.