Heavenly Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked with Asparagus Recipe

Succulent lemon garlic butter chicken emerges as a culinary delight that promises pure comfort on your dinner plate.

Aromatic herbs dance alongside tender meat, creating a symphony of flavors.

Seasonal asparagus adds vibrant green elegance to this wholesome dish.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully seasoned bite.

Simple ingredients combine to craft something extraordinary that feels both luxurious and approachable.

Home cooks will adore how effortlessly this recipe comes together in just minutes.

Dive into a meal that brings restaurant-quality excitement directly to your kitchen.

What’s Tasty About Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Crush Flavor Complexity: This recipe blends zesty lemon, rich garlic butter, and tender chicken into a mouthwatering culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet-style meal.
• Minimal Prep Champion: With just one baking sheet and straightforward mixing, this dish requires minimal kitchen effort while delivering maximum taste and satisfaction.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Combining lean protein from chicken and nutrient-packed asparagus creates a balanced, wholesome meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing deliciousness.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Needing less than an hour from start to finish, this recipe solves dinner dilemmas by providing a fast, delectable solution for busy households and hungry families.

What Goes Into Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the primary protein in this dish.

• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the chicken.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Provides a bright, citrusy tang that complements the chicken.
• Oregano, Paprika: Herbs and spices that bring depth and warmth to the overall taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Butter: Creates a rich, velvety sauce that helps keep the chicken moist.
• Olive Oil: Adds a subtle fruity flavor and helps prevent sticking.

• Asparagus: Fresh green vegetable that offers a tender and slightly earthy accompaniment to the chicken.

• Fresh Parsley: Optional herb that adds a fresh, green accent to the finished dish.

Steps To Cook Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400F (200C) so it’s perfectly ready for cooking.

Step 2: Arrange Chicken Beauties

Spread chicken breasts in a single layer across a spacious baking sheet, giving each piece room to shine.

Step 3: Whip Up Flavor Explosion

• Melted butter
• Minced garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Olive oil
• Dried oregano
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend these ingredients until they create a mouthwatering sauce.

Step 4: Paint Chicken With Flavor

Generously brush the garlic butter mixture over each chicken breast, making sure every inch gets coated with deliciousness.

Step 5: Add Veggie Companion

Scatter asparagus around the chicken on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper for extra taste.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Chicken should reach 165F (75C) internally and asparagus should turn tender and slightly crisp.

Step 7: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for a pop of color and extra freshness before serving.

Tips To Help With Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to help the garlic butter mixture adhere better and create a crispy exterior.
• Choose thick, fresh asparagus spears for the best texture and flavor, trimming the woody ends before roasting.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165F, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy meat.
• Swap butter with olive oil or ghee for a dairy-free version, keeping the same delicious flavor profile.
• Experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary instead of oregano to add variety and personalize the dish.

Fun Spins On Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace oregano with a blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, and basil for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that brings warmth and complexity to the dish.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Version: Swap paprika with Cajun seasoning and add red pepper flakes to create a bold, zesty meal that packs a punch of heat and southern charm.
• Herb Cream Sauce Upgrade: After baking, create a quick pan sauce by deglazing with white wine and adding heavy cream, mixing in chopped fresh herbs for an elegant, restaurant-style finish.
• Asian-Inspired Soy Chicken: Substitute lemon juice with rice vinegar, add soy sauce and ginger to the butter mixture, and sprinkle sesame seeds over the finished dish for an Asian-fusion approach.

Pairings For Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Savor Crisp White Wine Pairing: Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the zesty lemon and garlic flavors, cutting through the buttery richness while enhancing the chicken's delicate profile.
• Match Herbal Green Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to echo the recipe's citrus notes, adding freshness and balancing the rich butter sauce.
• Recommend Crusty Bread Accompaniment: Serve warm sourdough or French bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce, providing a delightful texture contrast and extra flavor absorption.
• Suggest Roasted Potato Option: Prepare simple rosemary roasted potatoes that complement the herb-infused chicken, offering a hearty side that matches the dish's Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

How To Store Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Transfer leftover chicken and asparagus into an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish away from raw ingredients to prevent cross-contamination.
• Place cooled chicken and asparagus in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for maximum 2 months. Ensure the dish is completely cooled before freezing.
• Sprinkle a few drops of water over the leftovers to prevent drying, cover with a microwave-safe lid, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165F to ensure food safety.

Your FAQs About Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked With Asparagus

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs. Just ensure they reach the same internal temperature of 165F (75C) for safe consumption.

• How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?

The butter and olive oil mixture helps keep the chicken moist. Avoid overcooking and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature precisely.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just double-check that your spices and seasonings do not contain any gluten-based additives.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can marinate the chicken in the garlic butter mixture for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before baking, which will enhance the flavor even more.

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Baked with Asparagus Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent lemon garlic butter chicken baked with asparagus delivers Mediterranean-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables. Zesty flavors and tender chicken create a simple yet elegant meal that promises satisfaction and delights palates with minimal effort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs/680 grams)

Vegetables:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400F, creating an optimal roasting environment for the chicken and asparagus.
2. Position chicken breasts in a single, even layer across a spacious baking sheet, allowing uniform heat distribution.
3. Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together melted butter, crushed garlic, zesty lemon juice, fragrant lemon zest, smooth olive oil, aromatic oregano, smoky paprika, and seasoning.
4. Generously coat each chicken breast with the prepared garlic butter mixture, ensuring thorough and even coverage.
5. Artfully arrange fresh asparagus spears around the chicken, lightly drizzling with olive oil and sprinkling with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
6. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F and asparagus becomes tender and slightly crisp.
7. Finish the dish with a delicate sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, adding a bright, herbaceous touch to the golden-brown chicken and roasted vegetables.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are similar in size for even cooking, preventing dry or undercooked sections.
• Pat chicken dry before applying butter mixture to help seasonings adhere better and create a crispy exterior.
• For a low-carb and keto-friendly version, replace olive oil with avocado oil and use ghee instead of butter.
• Swap asparagus with other quick-cooking vegetables like zucchini, green beans, or broccoli to add variety and nutrients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 4 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg