Description
A quick and flavorful 5-ingredient lemon chicken with asparagus recipe that’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are coated in flour and lemon pepper seasoning, sautéed to a golden brown, then paired with vibrant asparagus and caramelized lemon slices for a bright, tangy finish.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1-2 cups chopped asparagus
- 2 lemons, sliced
- Parsley for topping (optional)
Optional Sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and pound until each piece is about 3/4 inch thick. Alternatively, slice thick breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets. In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, and pepper. Coat each chicken breast evenly in the flour mixture.
- Sauté the chicken: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning onto each side while cooking. Transfer chicken to a plate once done.
- Cook the asparagus: Add chopped asparagus to the same skillet and sauté for a few minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Remove asparagus from the pan and set aside.
- Caramelize the lemon slices: Lay lemon slices flat in the pan, adding a small pat of butter if desired, and cook for a few minutes on each side without stirring. This helps them caramelize and pick up the flavorful browned bits from the skillet. Remove lemon slices and set aside.
- Assemble the dish: Layer the sautéed asparagus, cooked chicken breasts, and caramelized lemon slices in the skillet to combine the flavors and warm everything together briefly.
- Optional finishing touch: For a touch of sweetness, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of honey and drizzle over the dish before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For thicker chicken breasts, slicing horizontally instead of pounding keeps the meat tender and cooks evenly.
- Adding a small amount of butter when caramelizing lemons prevents sticking and enhances browning.
- The honey butter drizzle is optional but adds a delightful balance to the tangy lemon flavor.
- Use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor; avoid bottled lemon slices.
- Serve with rice or crusty bread to complete the meal.
