Ideal Ina Garten Lemon Chicken Breasts Recipe for Tonight

Lemon chicken breasts transform ordinary poultry into a vibrant, mouthwatering centerpiece for any meal.

Bright citrus notes dance with subtle herbal undertones, creating a harmonious balance of tangy and savory flavors.

Succulent meat absorbs the zesty marinade, promising a delightful culinary experience that awakens your taste buds.

Home cooks adore this straightforward technique that elevates a basic protein into something truly spectacular.

The secret lies in carefully selected ingredients that complement each other perfectly.

Simple preparation methods ensure anyone can achieve restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Rich, aromatic seasonings infuse each bite with incredible depth and complexity: get ready to impress.

Why Lemon Chicken Breasts Are a Burst of Bright Flavor

• Burst with Zesty Citrus Delight: The combination of lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh lemon wedges creates a bright, tangy flavor that transforms ordinary chicken into a vibrant, mouth-watering dish.
• Simplify Gourmet Cooking: This recipe offers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, using basic ingredients and straightforward techniques that even novice home cooks can master confidently.
• Infuse Mediterranean Elegance: The blend of white wine, herbs like oregano and thyme, and olive oil brings an authentic Mediterranean taste that transports your taste buds to a sunny coastal kitchen.
• Achieve Perfect Juicy Texture: Baking the chicken with a flavorful sauce and allowing it to rest ensures incredibly moist, tender meat that falls apart with each delightful bite.

What You’ll Need for Ina’s Lemon Chicken Breasts

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main component of the dish, boneless and preferably with skin for extra flavor and crispy texture.

• Dried Oregano, Fresh Thyme: Aromatic herbs that add Mediterranean-style depth and earthy notes to the chicken.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and create a balanced taste profile.

• Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor, helps in browning the chicken, and creates a smooth cooking base.
• Dry White Wine: Adds complexity and acidity to the sauce, helping to tenderize the chicken.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice, Lemon Wedges: Bright citrus element that brings freshness, tanginess, and aromatic quality to the dish.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that complements the chicken and other ingredients.

How to Cook Lemon Chicken Breasts with Zesty Charm

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Turn on the oven and set the temperature to 400°F (200°C). Allow the oven to fully preheat while preparing other ingredients.

Step 2: Create Flavor Sauce

• Minced garlic
• Dry white wine
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Dried oregano
• Fresh thyme
• Kosher salt

Gently combine all ingredients and pour the mixture into a 9×12-inch baking dish.

Step 3: Season Chicken

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Slice one lemon into 8 wedges and arrange around the chicken pieces.

Step 4: Roast To Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Roast for 30-40 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The skin should appear lightly golden and crispy. For extra browning, broil for 2 additional minutes.

Step 5: Rest And Serve

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes to lock in juices. Sprinkle with extra salt if desired. Serve hot, spooning pan juices over the chicken breasts.

Chef’s Tip: Pair with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Tips That Make Lemon Chicken Breasts Shine

• Select Skin-Packed Chicken: Keeping the skin on guarantees extra moisture and creates a golden, crispy exterior during roasting. No skin? Generously brush boneless breasts with olive oil to prevent drying out.
• Protect Garlic's Delicate Flavor: Sauté garlic briefly—just until aromatic—to prevent bitter undertones. One minute is your sweet spot for maximum flavor without burning.
• Maximize Lemon Zesting Technique: Zest whole lemons before juicing for easier grating. A microplane creates fine, fragrant zest that seamlessly blends into your sauce, releasing maximum citrus essence.
• Create Juicy Chicken Magic: After baking, cover the dish tightly with foil and let rest for 10 minutes. This crucial step locks in succulent juices and allows flavors to harmonize beautifully.
• Customize Sauce Perfection: Craving extra zing? Splash in additional lemon juice just before serving. Want deeper richness? Whisk a small pat of butter into pan juices for luxurious depth.

Storing Lemon Chicken Breasts for Later Meals

• Preserve Flavor: Quickly cool chicken to room temperature, then seal in a vacuum-sealed bag to lock in moisture and prevent freezer burn. This method maintains the lemon chicken's delicate herbal notes and tender texture for maximum enjoyment.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap individual chicken breasts in parchment paper before placing in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air and label with the date. Properly packaged chicken stays fresh and flavorful for up to 4 months, preventing ice crystals and preserving quality.
• Gentle Reheating: Revive chilled chicken using a steaming technique. Place chicken in a shallow dish with a splash of broth, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave at 50% power.

Variations That Bring New Life to Lemon Chicken Breasts

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap dried oregano and thyme with fresh rosemary, mint, and parsley for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Citrus Kick: Add red pepper flakes and substitute white wine with orange juice to create a zesty, warm-heat version of the original recipe.
• Garlic Lovers' Rendition: Double the garlic quantity and incorporate roasted garlic cloves directly into the sauce for an intensely rich, aromatic chicken dish.
• Creamy Lemon Herb Transformation: Stir in heavy cream and crumbled feta cheese during the last 10 minutes of cooking to create a luxurious, tangy sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

A Sunny Goodbye From Your Lemon Chicken Feast

Lemon chicken breasts from Ina Garten’s kitchen transport palates to Mediterranean coastal kitchens with zesty, herbaceous notes.

Fragrant garlic and white wine create an elegant sauce that bathes tender chicken in luxurious flavor profiles.

Citrus-infused aromatics dance around perfectly roasted meat, promising a culinary experience far beyond standard dinner fare.

Sophisticated yet simple, this recipe demonstrates how minimal ingredients can produce maximum deliciousness.

Passionate home chefs can elevate weeknight dinners with these restaurant-quality techniques.

Spark conversation, share culinary magic, and invite friends to savor this sensational dish that promises to become a cherished family favorite.

Ina Garten Lemon Chicken Breasts Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s lemon chicken breasts blend zesty Mediterranean flavors with classic roasting techniques. Fragrant herbs, tangy lemon, and golden-brown chicken create a simple yet elegant dinner that welcomes you to savor each succulent bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on (6 to 8 ounces/170 to 226 grams each)
• 1 lemon

Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) good olive oil
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Arrange the oven rack in the middle position and heat to 200°C / 400°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the chicken.
2. Craft the aromatic sauce by gently warming olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Introduce minced garlic and sauté for approximately 60 seconds, ensuring it remains pale and fragrant without browning.
3. Remove the saucepan from heat and incorporate dry white wine, grated lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, fresh thyme, and kosher salt, creating a vibrant liquid base that will infuse the chicken with complex flavors.
4. Transfer the sauce mixture into a 23 x 30 cm / 9 x 12-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom to provide a flavorful cooking medium.
5. Thoroughly pat the chicken breasts dry using paper towels, eliminating excess moisture to promote optimal browning and crisp skin.
6. Arrange the chicken breasts skin-side up in the prepared baking dish, nestling them into the aromatic sauce. Brush the surface with additional olive oil and generously season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Slice the lemon into eight wedges and strategically distribute them around the chicken pieces, allowing their citrusy essence to permeate the dish during cooking.
8. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 30-40 minutes, monitoring the chicken’s progress. The dish is complete when the skin turns a light golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 74°C / 165°F.
9. For enhanced color, activate the broiler and cook for an additional 2 minutes if the skin requires more caramelization.
10. Once cooked, tent the dish securely with aluminum foil and allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes, enabling the juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
11. Serve the chicken piping hot, generously drizzling the pan juices over the top and sprinkling with an extra pinch of salt if desired.

Notes

• Create a flavor barrier by keeping chicken skin intact during cooking to lock in moisture and develop irresistible crispy edges.
• Protect delicate garlic from burning by briefly sautéing until its fragrance releases, preventing bitter undertones in your sauce.
• Extract maximum citrus essence by zesting whole lemons before squeezing, ensuring vibrant flavor throughout your dish.
• Allow cooked chicken to rest under foil, enabling juices to redistribute and intensify the overall taste experience.
• Customize sauce intensity by balancing lemon’s brightness with a touch of butter or additional citrus to match your preference.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 393 kcal
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 1,000 mg
• Fat: 19.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 49 g
• Cholesterol: 165 mg