This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure form more information.

Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken is an easy recipe with chicken breasts baked in the oven with lemon pepper seasoning until tender and juicy. Your whole family will love this delicious easy dinner, and it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

oven baked lemon pepper chicken and broccoli on a plate with parsley

If you are looking for an easy chicken recipe for dinner tonight, you are going to love this easy baked lemon pepper chicken recipe.

This is one of my favorite easy chicken recipes and easy dinner recipes for lazy days and busy days. We enjoy this simple meal about once a week! Try my Mayo Parmesan Chicken or Ritz Cracker Chicken, too!

This baked lemon pepper chicken breasts recipe needs minimal prep, uses minimal ingredients, and it’s easy on the budget. Best of all, my entire family adores this lemony chicken — even my picky eaters!

chicken breasts, lemon pepper seasoning, olive oil, butter, lemon and garlic

Ingredients

You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this easy lemon chicken recipe. They should be easy to locate in your grocery store if you don’t already have them at home.

  • Chicken breasts — boneless skinless chicken breasts work best. I like to use thinner pieces of chicken or chicken halves to cook faster. Use chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you like.
  • Lemon pepper seasoning — Prepared seasoning is what makes this dinner so easy. Use your favorite brand of lemon pepper seasoning ( I love Kinders ) or make your own lemon pepper seasoning.
  • Lemon — fresh lemon slices and a little fresh lemon juice add extra flavor
  • Olive oil and butter — to coat the chicken and an another layer of flavor. You can use avocado oil or vegetable oil if you prefer.
  • Garlic powder — optional, but we like a little extra garlic. You can easily leave this out

Note — This recipe makes 4 to 6 small chicken breasts.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken in Oven

First, add a little olive oil to the baking pan.Then, place the chicken in the baking dish in a single layer, and drizzle with remaining olive oil.

Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and garlic powder evenly on top of the chicken.

seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish

Next, place lemon slices on top of the chicken. I usually squirt a little lemon juice over the chicken.

No need to cut another lemon — you can squeeze the juice from the ends of the lemon.

Finally, place a pat of butter on top of each lemon slice.

seasoned chicken topped with lemon slices and butter in baking dish

Cooking Time

Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees f, according to a meat thermometer or meat thermometer.

The chicken should be golden brown, and the lemon pepper sauce should be bubbling. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to settle.

baked chicken with lemon pepper seasoning in baking dish

What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken

I like to garnish the chicken with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. This is optional but adds a pop of color, freshness and adds to the flavor profile.

Serve this easy weeknight dinner with broccoli, green beans or cauliflower as an easy side dish. These easy side dishes all pair well with the delicious lemony flavor of the chicken.

I also like to serve roasted potatoes or air fryer potatoes or simple plain pasta or jasmine rice. Pasta or rice is perfect for soaking up the flavorful lemon butter sauce!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover baked lemon chicken in an airtight container. It keeps fresh for 3-4 days. You can freeze the chicken for longer storage. Reheat chicken in the microwave or use it for meal prep over a green salad.

juicy lemon pepper chicken with lemon slice, broccoli and Parmesan cheese on plate

Expert Tips

Choose thinner chicken breasts so that they cook faster. You can pound thick ones if necessary so that they cook evenly.

It’s easy to eyeball the ingredients. You can add more or less seasoning as long as there is enough to coat the chicken.

Allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure your chicken is perfectly tender and juicy!

Recipe FAQ

What’s in lemon pepper seasoning?

It varies with different brands, but it’s usually made with a combination of dried lemon zest, salt, black pepper, dried garlic, dried onion, citric acid and sometimes, sugar.

How do you keep the chicken juicy in the oven?

The chicken bakes at a lower temperature in a mixture of olive oil and butter and lemon juice. As a result, the chicken is tender and juicy.

5 from 6 votes

Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

By: Dee
Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken is an easy recipe with chicken breasts baked in the oven with lemon pepper seasoning until tender and juicy. Your whole family will love this delicious easy dinner, and it's perfect for busy weeknights!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 pounds
  • 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder optional
  • 1 small lemon sliced
  • 3 tbs butter sliced
  • chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese optional for garnish
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and get this recipe sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉
  • Pour half of the olive oil in a baking pan or casserole dish
  • Place chicken in baking dish, and pour remaining olive oil over chicken
  • Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and garlic powder over chicken
  • Place lemon slices on top of chicken and place butter on top of lemon. Squeeze remaining juice from lemon over chicken
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until chicken is 165℉ according to a meat thermometer
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving

Notes

You can use 4-6 small chicken breasts in this recipe.
Garlic is optional and may be added for extra flavor
Total cooking time depends on the size of the chicken and your own oven.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 95mg, Sodium: 200mg, Potassium: 487mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 310IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Like this? Leave a comment below!

I hope you enjoy this easy dinner recipe as much as my family does. If you do try my easy lemon pepper chicken breast recipe, please leave a star rating and/or comment.

For more easy and delicious recipes anyone can make, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow on social media.

ebook cover.
Download my free eBook!
Fill out the download form to get this collection of easy dessert dips. You'll also receive free recipes each week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




1 Comment

  1. Louis says:

    Wow was this great! Made it for dinner and everyone loved it! So simple and quick! Will be making this often!5 stars