Zingy Lemon Chicken Recipe: Bright Flavors in Every Bite

Zesty and bright, this chicken with lemon recipe brings Mediterranean magic to your dinner table.

Citrus notes dance through tender meat, creating a symphony of flavors.

Home cooks can easily master this simple yet elegant dish.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in transforming ordinary poultry into something spectacular.

Vibrant lemon slices infuse each bite with tangy warmth and subtle complexity.

Crisp herbs and a quick marinade guarantee restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Store And Reheat Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon Properly

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap chicken tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in freezer-safe container. Keeps well for up to 3 months.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through to 165F, preventing dryness.
• Warm chicken in preheated 350F oven, covered with foil, for 10-15 minutes, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture and prevent overcooking.

Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon FAQ List

• Why use both lemon juice and zest in this recipe?

Lemon juice adds tangy flavor while zest provides intense citrus aroma, creating a more complex and vibrant taste profile for the chicken.

• Can I substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs?

Yes, you can use dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by half since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor compared to fresh herbs.

• What does basting do during cooking?

Basting helps keep the chicken moist by spreading pan juices over the meat, preventing dryness and enhancing overall flavor and tenderness.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C), which ensures the chicken is safe to eat and properly cooked through.

Why Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon Is So Bright

• Burst with Zesty Flavor: This chicken recipe delivers a tangy punch with fresh lemon, herbs, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar that elevates the entire dish.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this chicken recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
• Quick Kitchen Triumph: From prep to plate, this recipe comes together rapidly, giving you a restaurant-quality meal in less than an hour with minimal hands-on time.
• Family-Friendly Feast: The balanced blend of herbs and citrus creates a crowd-pleasing main course that appeals to both adults and kids, making dinner time a stress-free experience.

Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon Ingredient Guide

• Chicken: A tender and versatile meat that serves as the primary protein for this flavorful dish.

• Olive Oil, Oregano, Thyme, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: A harmonious mix of herbs and spices that creates a robust and aromatic coating for the chicken.

• White Wine, Garlic, Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice, Brown Sugar: A combination of ingredients that adds depth, brightness, and a subtle sweetness to the chicken, creating a balanced and complex flavor profile.

• Lemon Slices: Optional fresh citrus rounds that provide an additional visual appeal and burst of fresh lemon flavor.

How To Cook Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 400 degrees Fahrenheit, getting it ready for a delicious chicken transformation.

Step 2: Prepare The Chicken

Take your chicken and gently pat it completely dry with paper towels. Transfer the chicken into a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring it sits comfortably.

Step 3: Create Flavor Coating

• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage this aromatic mixture all over the chicken, making sure every inch gets some love.

Step 4: Craft The Liquid Magic

• White wine
• Minced garlic
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Additional salt
• Brown sugar

Pour this vibrant liquid evenly over the seasoned chicken.

Step 5: Add Citrus Flair

If desired, scatter fresh lemon slices around and on top of the chicken for extra zesty goodness.

Step 6: First Baking Blast

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, letting the flavors start to mingle.

Step 7: Baste And Continue Cooking

Remove the dish, spoon those delicious pan juices over the chicken. Return to the oven and bake another 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 8: Rest And Serve

Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving, letting the juices redistribute and ensuring maximum deliciousness.

Helpful Tips For Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon

• Ensure Dry Chicken: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to help achieve crispy, golden-brown skin and better flavor absorption.
• Balance Citrus Flavor: Adjust lemon quantity based on personal preference; use fresh lemon for brighter, more vibrant taste compared to bottled juice.
• Check Internal Temperature: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165F for safe, perfectly cooked meat without overcooking.
• Wine Selection Matters: Choose a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the dish's overall flavor profile without overpowering the chicken.
• Quick Basting Technique: Baste chicken during cooking to keep meat moist and help develop a rich, glossy exterior with concentrated flavors.

Ways To Switch Up Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace oregano and thyme with rosemary, basil, and parsley for a fresh Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Citrus Chicken: Swap brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use white wine vinegar instead of wine to reduce carbohydrates.
• Dairy-Free Lemon Herb Chicken: Ensure all ingredients are dairy-free and use coconut oil as an alternative to olive oil for sensitive diets.
• Spicy Citrus Chicken: Add red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to the spice rub for a hot and zesty version of the original recipe.

Great Pairings For Mary Berry Chicken With Lemon

• Pairing Fresh Greens: Toss a crisp arugula salad with shaved parmesan and light lemon vinaigrette to complement the chicken's zesty flavor profile.
• Wine Selection: Pour a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or dry Pinot Grigio to match the recipe's bright citrus and herb notes, enhancing the meal's Mediterranean essence.
• Starch Companion: Serve roasted garlic rosemary potatoes or herbed quinoa to absorb the delicious pan juices and provide a complementary texture contrast.
• Mediterranean Side: Add Greek-style roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant with olive oil and oregano to echo the dish's herbal undertones.

Chicken With Lemon Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty Lemon Chicken emerges as a Mediterranean delight, blending tangy citrus notes with herb-infused chicken. Succulent pieces glow with fresh lemon’s bright personality, promising a quick and satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts (2.5 lbs or 1.13 kg)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine
• 1 lemon, cut into 6 slices (optional)

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a precise 400F (200C), ensuring an ideal roasting environment for the chicken.
2. Thoroughly blot the chicken with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then carefully position it in a 9×13 inch baking vessel.
3. Craft a fragrant seasoning blend by whisking together olive oil, dried oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, creating a harmonious herb-infused coating.
4. Massage the herbed oil mixture thoroughly over the entire surface of the chicken, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Create a vibrant pan sauce by combining white wine, minced garlic, bright lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, additional salt, and a touch of brown sugar in the same mixing bowl.
6. Gently cascade the liquid mixture over the seasoned chicken, allowing it to pool around the meat.
7. Optionally, arrange thin lemon slices across the chicken for enhanced citrus aroma and visual appeal.
8. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven and roast for an initial 15-minute interval.
9. Carefully remove the dish and baste the chicken with the developing pan juices to maintain moisture and intensify flavor.
10. Return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature precisely reaches 165F, ensuring complete and safe cooking.
11. Once removed, allow the chicken to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes, enabling juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is patted completely dry to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and enhances flavor.
• Experiment with herb substitutions like rosemary or parsley for a personalized twist while maintaining the bright, zesty profile of the dish.
• Use fresh lemon juice and zest for maximum citrusy punch, avoiding bottled lemon juice which can taste flat and less vibrant.
• For a low-carb or keto-friendly version, replace brown sugar with a small amount of monk fruit sweetener or simply omit for a more savory result.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 335 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 580 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg