Delicious Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken

Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that can be prepared for your family or friends as a quick weeknight meal or a special occasion. This recipe offers the perfect balance of crispy skin and tender, juicy chicken breast. The lemon and garlic flavors meld beautifully to create an aroma that will make your kitchen smell like a gourmet restaurant.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Cooking time: Approximately 30 minutesNumber of servings: 4

Instructions:

To prepare this dish, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Mince the garlic cloves and finely zest a lemon. Squeeze out some juice from the lemon as well.

Mix together the olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small bowl until everything is thoroughly combined. Brush this mixture evenly over each chicken breast to coat them all over with the flavorful marinade. If desired, place the breasts on a baking tray lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Place the chicken into the preheated oven and bake it for about 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) as measured by an instant-read thermometer. While the chicken is baking, you can prepare a side dish such as roasted vegetables to complement this main course.

Once your chicken has reached its safe eating temperature and has turned golden brown, take it out of the oven. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving so that the juices redistribute themselves throughout the meat. Garnish with fresh parsley if you wish; this will add a pop of color to contrast beautifully against the crisp golden skin.

For those who love a bit more zest, consider adding extra lemon zest at the end just before serving or even during baking for an extra punchy flavor kick. To make this dish even healthier while still keeping it delicious, you could use whole-grain mustard instead of garlic and add some chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the aroma.

The versatility of baked lemon garlic chicken doesn't stop at just one way to serve it either - try serving it with a side of roasted asparagus for a lighter meal or pair it with creamy mashed potatoes on colder days. Another great idea would be to serve this dish alongside fresh green beans which will balance the richness of the chicken.

For those looking forward to making something different yet still within their budget, baked lemon garlic chicken is an excellent choice. It requires minimal prep and relies heavily on just a few ingredients that many households already have stocked up in their kitchens. The key to success lies mainly in proper cooking time which ensures that the internal temperature reaches safety standards before serving.

The combination of simple yet effective ingredients transforms plain old chicken into something extraordinary. You can easily adapt this recipe by adjusting the amount of garlic or lemon according to your personal taste preferences. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or having an intimate gathering with close friends, this dish is sure to impress everyone at the table.

With its appealing aroma and delectable flavor profile, baked lemon garlic chicken becomes a go-to favorite in many households. This simple yet delicious recipe offers an easy way for home cooks to create memorable meals without requiring extensive culinary skills or expensive equipment. Try making this dish today and see how quickly it becomes one of your family favorites!