One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus
This One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus is the perfect weeknight dinner—quick, flavorful, and easy to clean up! Juicy, golden-brown chicken is cooked in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce and paired with crisp-tender asparagus for a meal that’s both healthy and satisfying. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with fresh, vibrant flavors. Whether you're meal prepping or just need a fast, wholesome dinner, this one-pan wonder is guaranteed to become a favorite. Give it a try and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home!
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Cast-Iron Pan: A 12-inch skillet or cast-iron pan is perfect for cooking the chicken evenly and giving it that golden-brown sear. Cast iron retains heat well, but any large nonstick or stainless steel pan will work.
- Tongs: Essential for flipping the chicken without losing juices or breaking the asparagus.
- Sharp Knife & Cutting Board: For slicing the chicken and prepping the asparagus.
- Citrus Zester or Microplane: To easily zest the lemon for extra brightness in the dish.
- Juicer or Citrus Press (optional): If you want to extract every last drop of fresh lemon juice without seeds.
- Measuring Spoons & Cups: To get the right balance of seasoning and lemon-garlic goodness.
- Meat Thermometer (optional but recommended): Helps ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked at 165°F (75°C) without overcooking.
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: For stirring the garlic and scraping up the flavorful browned bits in the pan.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika for a hint of smokiness
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano optional but enhances flavor
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter for richness
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for a little heat
For the Asparagus
- 1 bunch asparagus trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese optional but adds great flavor
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Rub this seasoning all over both sides of the chicken breasts.
- Heat the pan: In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove and set aside.
- Infuse with Garlic & Lemon
- Sauté the garlic: In the same pan, reduce heat to low and add 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add lemon zest and juice: Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let it simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Cook the Asparagus
- Prepare the asparagus: Trim the tough ends and toss them in 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sauté in the pan: Add the asparagus to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan (if using) for a delicious finishing touch.
- Bring It All Together
- Return the chicken to the pan: Nestle the chicken back into the skillet, letting it soak up the lemon-garlic sauce for an extra 1-2 minutes.
- Serve hot: Garnish with extra lemon wedges and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Make-Ahead Instructions
If you’re short on time, you can prep ingredients ahead of time to make cooking even faster: ✔️ Marinate the Chicken: For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and seasonings for up to 12 hours in the fridge. This helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with bold flavors. ✔️ Trim the Asparagus: Cut off the woody ends and store the trimmed asparagus in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 2 days before cooking. ✔️ Pre-Mix the Seasoning Blend: Combine the salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano in advance so you can just sprinkle it on when you’re ready to cook. ✔️ Pre-Chop the Garlic & Lemon Zest: Store them in a small airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days to save time. 💡 Pro Tip: If you’re making this for meal prep, you can cook everything in advance and store individual portions for easy grab-and-go meals!Storage Instructions
If you have leftovers, here’s how to store them properly to keep them fresh: ✔️ Refrigeration: Store cooked chicken and asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the lemon wedges separate if you plan to squeeze fresh juice over it before serving. ✔️ Freezing:- The chicken freezes well! Let it cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
- Asparagus does not freeze well, as it can become mushy when thawed. If you plan to freeze, swap asparagus for broccoli or green beans, which hold up better.
To keep the chicken juicy and flavorful, here’s how to reheat it without drying it out: 🔥 Stovetop (Best Method): Heat a small amount of olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the chicken and asparagus, cover, and warm for 3-5 minutes, flipping occasionally. 🔥 Microwave: Place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Add a splash of lemon juice or chicken broth to keep it moist. 🔥 Oven: Preheat to 300°F (150°C). Wrap the chicken in foil to prevent drying out and heat for 10-15 minutes until warm. 🔥 Air Fryer: For a slightly crispy texture, reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. 💡 Pro Tip: If your chicken seems dry, squeeze fresh lemon juice over it after reheating to bring back some moisture and flavor!