Rosemary Lemon Chicken

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
1 Review

If you're looking for a dinner that balances simplicity with sophistication, this Rosemary Lemon Chicken is your new go-to. With vibrant, fresh flavors and minimal prep, it’s perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual dinner party.

Ingredients for Rosemary Lemon Chicken

Boneless chicken breasts act as the main protein, absorbing all the wonderful flavors from the marinade. Fresh rosemary is a fragrant herb that pairs beautifully with lemon, adding an earthy, pine-like aroma. Fresh lemon juice brings a zesty kick and helps tenderize the chicken while it marinates. Garlic, minced finely, adds a pungent depth of flavor. Olive oil is used for the marinade, providing a rich, smooth base. Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors, ensuring the dish is well-seasoned. Finally, the assorted vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini add color, nutrition, and a variety of textures.

Tips & Tricks

  • For even more flavor, try scoring the chicken breasts lightly before marinating them.
  • If using dried rosemary, reduce the amount to about 1 tablespoon as it’s more potent than fresh.
  • Feel free to swap or add vegetables based on what you have on hand — mushrooms or cherry tomatoes work well too.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a simple side of quinoa or brown rice, which will soak up the flavorful juices. For a lighter meal, serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. A glass of chilled white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, complements the citrus notes wonderfully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, just adjust the cooking time. Bone-in chicken takes longer, roughly 35-40 minutes in the oven.
What if I don't have fresh rosemary?
You can substitute with dried rosemary, though fresh is recommended for the best flavor.
Can I grill the chicken instead?
Absolutely! Grill over medium heat for about 6-7 minutes per side, until fully cooked.

Rosemary Lemon Chicken Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a medium-sized bowl to mix up your marinade. Toss in the rosemary, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir until everything is well combined. This is where your flavors start to meld.

Next, place your chicken breasts in a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over them, ensuring they’re well-coated. Cover the dish and pop it in the fridge. Let the chicken marinate for at least two hours — overnight if you can plan ahead. This resting time is key for flavor infusion.

When you're ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven is heating, arrange the marinated chicken in a baking dish. Surround it with the diced vegetables. Not only do they cook alongside the chicken, but they also soak up some of those delicious juices.

Roast everything in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. You'll know it's done when the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Let it rest for a few minutes outside the oven before serving, so the juices settle nicely. Enjoy the aroma filling your kitchen!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients.
  • The marinade infuses the chicken with bright, fragrant flavors.
  • Versatile enough to pair with various sides.
  • Healthy and satisfying, with a good dose of veggies included.

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts
2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups assorted vegetables (such as carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini), diced

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the rosemary, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
2. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
3. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Arrange the marinated chicken breasts in a baking dish and surround them with the diced vegetables.
5. Roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
6. Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

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