Lemon Chicken and Asparagus
There's nothing better than a one-pot meal for dinner! And when you combine pan-seared chicken breast with fresh asparagus, you have a delicious meal perfect for a busy weeknight. Your family will love the buttery sauce covering each bite of this lemon chicken and asparagus. And you'll love just how simple it is to prepare.
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What Do I Need to Make Lemon Chicken and Asparagus?
This lemon chicken recipe's short list of fresh ingredients makes it a great choice for dinner tonight. All you need to whip up your saucy weeknight dinner is these simple supplies:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Butter
- Asparagus
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Lemons
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How Do I Make Lemon Chicken and Asparagus?
Your family will love the buttery lemon sauce on top of the crispy pan-seared chicken and asparagus. And since it's so simple, this easy dinner recipe will quickly become part of your regular weeknight rotation! Follow these easy instructions to make lemon chicken and asparagus on the stovetop.
Step One: Prepare the Chicken
Slice each chicken in half lengthwise to form two thin filets. Season each piece of chicken with salt and pepper and set them aside.
Step Two: Sear the Chicken
Place a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. When the butter has melted, sear the chicken on each side for two minutes or until browned, then remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Step Three: Cook the Asparagus
Add the remaining butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Toss in the asparagus and saute it for about 5 minutes or until tender. Add the minced garlic and saute for one minute, tossing with asparagus. After that, stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Place the chicken back in the pan and cook for one more minute, until it is heated through. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.
Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Recipe Ideas
This lemon butter chicken recipe is great because it's a full meal cooked in one pan. But that doesn't mean you have to stick to the recipe exactly to enjoy a delicious dinner tonight. With the help of these recipe substitutions and additions, you can create an amazing meal that your entire family will love.
- Try different veggies. We love asparagus, but it's not everyone's favorite veggie! If you want to replace the asparagus in this recipe, try adding another quick-cooking vegetable like bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or mushrooms.
- Add a grain to the meal. Round out your meal with the addition of some grains. This chicken and asparagus recipe tastes amazing when served over pasta, rice, risotto, or orzo. When serving this dish with a grain, it's a good idea to double the sauce ingredients to ensure you have enough sauce to coat the chicken and sides.
- Try it with chicken thighs. Does your family prefer eating dark meat chicken? Try making this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Depending on how thick your thighs are, you may need to adjust the cook time.
- Make it with different protein. While chicken and asparagus is a delicious combination, you can easily prepare this one-pan meal with other proteins. In addition to chicken, you can also use this simple lemon butter sauce with shrimp, pork, steak, or tofu.
- Make a creamy sauce. Give your lemon chicken a saucy finish by stirring in some heavy whipping cream. After the asparagus has finished cooking, stir the heavy cream into the pan and allow it to simmer for a few minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Add some herbs or spices. Give your lemon chicken more flavor by stirring into other fresh herbs. Try mixing some oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning to the sauce to add even more flavor to the dish.
How Do You Store Lemon Chicken and Asparagus?
This easy one-pot meal's flavor combination is sure to please your family. I'd be surprised if you had any leftovers after dinner. But if you do, simply transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them again.
To reheat the chicken, heat it in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat until the meat and veggies are warmed through.
Can I Freeze Lemon Chicken and Asparagus?
This simple dinner is a great option for meal prepping because it can easily be cooked and frozen until you're ready to serve it. Allow the chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. The meal will stay good for up to one month.
Allow the chicken and asparagus to thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating the meal in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Lemon Chicken and Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
- 8 oz asparagus
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 lemon sliced with seeds removed
Instructions
- Slice each chicken in half lengthwise to form two thin filets. Season each piece of chicken with salt and pepper and set them aside.
- Place a nonstick skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. When the butter has melted, sear the chicken on each side for two minutes or until browned, then remove it from the pan and set the chicken aside.
- Add the remaining butter to the pan and melt it. Toss in the asparagus and saute it for about 5 minutes or until tender.
- Add in the minced garlic, toss with asparagus, and cook for 1 minute.
- After that, stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Return the chicken to the pan and cook for one more minute until heated through.
- Garnish with parsley and lemon slices before serving.
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