Description
This quick and healthy lemon pepper chicken breast features a zesty, citrus-forward profile with a bold, aromatic punch of cracked black pepper. By pounding the chicken to an even thickness and searing it in a hot skillet, you achieve a professional-quality golden crust that seals in moisture. It is the perfect, protein-packed weeknight dinner that relies on simple pantry staples to deliver restaurant-worthy results in under twenty minutes.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
1 tbsp freshly cracked coarse black pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure a better sear.
Pound the chicken with a meat mallet until an even thickness of half an inch is reached.
Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Place the chicken breasts in the pan without crowding, working in two batches if needed.
Sear the chicken for five minutes on one side until a deep golden crust forms.
Flip the chicken and cook for an additional four to five minutes until cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the heat, drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and garnish with lemon zest before serving.
Notes
Use organic lemons for the zest to avoid wax. If the chicken breasts are very large, work in two batches to avoid crowding the pan, which ensures a proper sear rather than steaming the meat. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast portion
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 125mg