How to Make a Delicious Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon garlic chicken is a dish that never fails to impress with its vibrant flavors and simplicity in preparation. This versatile recipe can be served as a main course for dinner parties or as a quick weeknight meal, making it perfect for both casual and formal occasions.

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4-6 people

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 lemons (1 for juicing, 1 for garnish)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cilantro or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

To start the process of making your lemon garlic chicken, preheat your oven to 375°F. While waiting for the oven to heat up, prepare all necessary ingredients and seasonings.

1. Mix together minced garlic, lemon zest (from one whole lemon), salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil in a small bowl until well combined. Set aside this mixture as your marinade.
2. Lightly coat the chicken breasts with the olive oil first, then gently press the seasoned mixture onto both sides of each breast. Ensure even coating by patting down lightly. This step ensures that all parts of the chicken will absorb flavors from the lemon and garlic mixture uniformly.
3. Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking during cooking. If desired, you could also place slices of lemon between layers of chicken for extra flavor.
4. Bake in preheated oven until chicken is fully cooked through and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer. This usually takes around 30-35 minutes depending on thickness of the breast pieces used. Keep checking towards the end to ensure it doesn't overcook!

Final Steps:

Once cooked, remove the chicken from oven and let rest for about five minutes before slicing into portions. During this time, squeeze fresh juice from remaining lemon half over top of prepared dish as a finishing touch; this adds acidity that helps cut richness of buttery garlic sauce while enhancing overall taste profile.

Garnishing & Serving:

For an extra burst of freshness and color, garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve alongside steamed vegetables such as green beans or broccoli for a healthy side dish option that complements nicely without overwhelming the main course.

Tips:

• You can adjust spiciness level by adding more garlic if preferred, though this recipe already offers a robust garlic flavor.
• If you prefer a bit of heat, consider sprinkling cayenne pepper over the top just before serving.

This lemon garlic chicken is not only easy to prepare but also extremely adaptable depending on personal preferences and dietary needs. Whether served with rice or pasta, it makes for an excellent accompaniment that pairs well almost any vegetable side dish. By following these steps carefully you'll be enjoying deliciously tender pieces of succulent poultry infused with bright lemony citrus notes along with aromatic garlic – a delightful culinary experience right at home!