Fast and Simple Lemon Hen

This recipe is tremendous simple to make and completely scrumptious. It’s a type of fast and straightforward weeknight meals that you just’ll need to preserve without end as a result of miraculously, even choosy eaters have a tendency to love it! All you need to do is choose a few simple sides to go along with it, and you’ve got your self a full meal. Meals like this are what we grew up on, and we nonetheless find it irresistible simply as a lot as we did many years in the past. If you’re uninterested in preventing together with your youngsters to complete their dinner, that is the recipe for you. As a bonus, you’ll find it irresistible too!

Why Our Recipe

Fast marinade with contemporary lemon juice and herbs packs a punch in simply half-hour.
Made with easy substances you seemingly have already got readily available.
Goes with nearly all the pieces for meals which might be simple to place collectively.

Close up view of lemon chicken in a skillet.

Hen recipes don’t get a lot less complicated or tastier than this. With a marinade made out of contemporary lemon juice, herbs, and pantry staples, this dish comes collectively shortly. Whether or not you’re searching for a weeknight dinner or a meal to impress, this recipe has you lined for each. It additionally goes with virtually any facet—assume roasted veggies, fluffy rice, or a contemporary inexperienced salad.

Ingredient Notes

Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts: Select evenly sized breasts for constant cooking. You may also use boneless skinless rooster thighs, they’ll simply take longer to cook dinner.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice goes to provide the greatest taste, however bottled lemon juice works too and it certain is handy.
Additional Virgin Olive Oil: Common olive oil works in addition to different neutral-flavored oils.
Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper is a mixture of black pepper, lemon zest, and a pinch of garlic powder.
Dried Basil and Oregano: We’re holding it easy with dried herbs to make this dish as simple as potential.

Marinating Instances

For this recipe, half-hour is all you might want to pack in loads of contemporary, zesty taste. It’s good for these busy weeknights when time isn’t in your facet. If in case you have extra time, although, you possibly can let the rooster take in the marinade for as much as 8 hours.

Don’t go overboard. Marinating for too lengthy—particularly greater than 12 hours—can truly make the rooster mushy due to the acid within the lemon juice.

A fast 15-minute marinade will nonetheless offer you a bit increase of taste. Simply toss the rooster within the marinade whilst you prep your sides, and also you’re good to go!

How you can Inform When Hen is Finished

No one likes dry rooster, so let’s make certain yours is completely juicy! One of the simplest ways to know when it’s carried out is to examine the inner temperature—it ought to hit 165°F.

No thermometer? No downside! You should utilize the contact take a look at and a fast peek inside. Press on the thickest a part of the rooster breast—if it feels springy however not mushy, you’re in fine condition. Nonetheless unsure? Slice into the thickest half. The juices ought to run clear, and the meat needs to be white with no pink in sight.

Make it a Meal

Serve with Grains: Pair lemon rooster with a facet of fluffy rice, quinoa, or couscous.

Add Greens: Roasted or steamed greens complement the zesty rooster nicely. Take into account choices like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or gown up frozen vegetables for a fast and straightforward possibility.

Prime A Salad: A contemporary salad, whether or not it’s a easy green salad, a Caeser salad, or a extra elaborate Greek salad, provides a refreshing component to the meal.

Embrace a Starch: For a heartier meal, add a starch like roasted or mashed potatoes, or perhaps a slice of crusty bread to absorb the scrumptious juices from the rooster.

Pair with Pasta: Lemon rooster goes nicely with a simple pasta for a hearty and filling meal.

Freezer Possibility

Right here’s a bit kitchen hack: freeze your rooster proper within the marinade! It marinates whereas it thaws—how simple is that? Simply pop your rooster and marinade right into a freezer-safe bag, press out as a lot air as you possibly can, and freeze it.

If you’re able to cook dinner, thaw it within the fridge. This retains issues secure and offers the marinade loads of time to work its magic. Relying on the dimensions of your rooster items, thawing may take just a few hours or in a single day.

Storage and Reheating Directions:

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.

Reheat in a skillet over medium-low warmth for greatest outcomes. Add a bit olive oil or water to maintain it moist, and warmth till warmed by way of.

Reheat it within the microwave in 30-second increments, flipping the rooster midway to make sure even heating. Watch out to not overheat, as this will dry out the rooster.