One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Featured in: One-Pot Favorites

This vibrant dish combines tender chicken breasts with crisp asparagus, all infused with a bright lemon-garlic sauce. Cooking everything in a single pan makes preparation and cleanup effortless. The chicken is first seared to lock in juices, then roasted alongside fresh lemon slices enhancing the zest. Garlic and Italian herbs add aromatic depth, balanced by a touch of paprika and butter for richness. Simple, quick, and perfect for a wholesome meal.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:14:00 GMT
Juicy One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus, garnished and ready to serve.  Save
Juicy One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus, garnished and ready to serve. | tastlis.com

A vibrant, zesty chicken dish featuring juicy chicken breasts, fresh asparagus, and a bright lemon-garlic sauce—all cooked together in one pan for easy cleanup.

This is my go-to weeknight meal when I want something fast yet impressive; the family loves how juicy and flavorful the chicken turns out.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts: 4 boneless skinless
  • Asparagus: 1 bunch (about 450 g), trimmed
  • Lemon: 1 medium, sliced
  • Garlic: 3 cloves minced
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Unsalted butter: 1 tbsp
  • Dried Italian herbs: 1 tsp (or mixed dried oregano and thyme)
  • Paprika: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped (optional)
  • Lemon wedges: for serving

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Set to 400°F (200°C)
Season chicken:
Pat dry and season both sides with salt pepper paprika and Italian herbs
Sear chicken:
Heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat; sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until golden
Sauté garlic:
Remove chicken briefly; add garlic to pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant
Add asparagus:
Toss asparagus in garlic butter in the pan
Arrange chicken and lemon:
Place chicken breasts on asparagus and scatter lemon slices over all
Roast in oven:
Cook for 15–18 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and asparagus is tender
Rest and serve:
Remove from oven let rest for 2 minutes garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges
Vibrant One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus, drizzled with zesty lemon sauce.  Save
Vibrant One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus, drizzled with zesty lemon sauce. | tastlis.com

My family looks forward to this dish every week; it always brings us together at the dinner table with smiles.

Notes

For extra flavor marinate chicken in lemon juice olive oil and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking Swap asparagus for green beans or broccoli if desired Serve with roasted potatoes or a light salad for a complete meal

Required Tools

Large oven-safe skillet Tongs Chefs knife Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Dairy (butter) May contain Sulfites (from lemon if pre-packaged) Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens

Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus, a colorful dish fresh from the oven. Save
Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus, a colorful dish fresh from the oven. | tastlis.com

This dish delivers on flavor and simplicity making it a perfect addition to your dinner rotation.

Recipe FAQs

What type of chicken is best for this dish?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best as they cook evenly and stay juicy when seared and roasted.

Can I substitute asparagus with other vegetables?

Yes, green beans or broccoli are great alternatives that roast well alongside chicken.

How do I ensure the chicken stays moist?

Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and searing to develop a golden crust, then finish roasting to keep juices sealed.

Is it necessary to use fresh lemon slices?

Fresh lemon slices add vibrant citrus notes while roasting and help keep the ingredients bright and flavorful.

Can this dish be prepared ahead of time?

Marinating the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil for 30 minutes beforehand enhances flavor and tenderness.

One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken

Juicy chicken breasts with fresh asparagus and a bright lemon-garlic sauce, cooked together in one pan.

Prep Time
10 min
Time to Cook
25 min
Overall Time
35 min
Author Lena Foster


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary details Gluten-Free, Reduced Carb

What You'll Need

Proteins

01 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables

01 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed (approximately 1 lb)
02 1 medium lemon, sliced
03 3 cloves garlic, minced

Pantry & Seasonings

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
04 1/2 teaspoon paprika
05 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Garnish

01 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
02 Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Instruction 01

Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 400°F.

Instruction 02

Season Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried Italian herbs on both sides.

Instruction 03

Sear Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown.

Instruction 04

Prepare Garlic: Remove the chicken briefly to a plate. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Instruction 05

Add Asparagus: Add trimmed asparagus to the skillet, tossing to coat thoroughly in the garlic butter mixture.

Instruction 06

Arrange Ingredients: Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the asparagus and scatter lemon slices evenly over the chicken and vegetables.

Instruction 07

Roast: Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the asparagus is tender.

Instruction 08

Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and allow to rest for 2 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with additional lemon wedges.

Tools Needed

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Tongs
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy Notes

Review each component for possible allergens. If you aren't sure, ask a health pro.
  • Contains dairy due to butter.
  • Potential sulfite presence from pre-packaged lemon.
  • Verify ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

This nutrition data is just for your information—always check with a healthcare provider if needed.
  • Energy: 310
  • Fats: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Proteins: 41 g