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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: Sep 10, 2020 | Modified: Oct 23, 2020

    Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bake

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    I don’t know whether it's the perfectly cooked chicken breasts, the perfectly cooked broccoli, the little bursts of flavor from the cherry tomatoes, the zing of the lemon, or the ABSOLUTE deliciousness of the cream sauce….but this one-pan lemon garlic butter chicken rocks.

    This recipe has been updated from the original October 2015 version in order to provide a better experience for our readers.

    Garlic butter chicken with veggies in a large black cast iron skillet with some rice and lemons on the side

    Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bake

    Oh my goodness, this dish...

    Seriously, it is worth the terrible skin-peeling burns I gave myself on the chest to make it.

    Note to self: don’t absent-mindedly throw some onions into a hot pan of butter and chicken…the subsequent splash is going to hurt like hell. 

    Especially when you hit the salt water in Hawaii the next weekend.

    Ouch.

    Garlic butter chicken with veggies being spooned out of a large black cast iron skillet with some rice and lemons on the side

    What Makes This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken So Good?

    Back to this scrumptious little dish.

    When I tell people I have a food recipe site, they always ask what recipe they should check out.

    If you asked me in Summer I would say my Summer Stone Fruit and Spinach Strawberry Pecan Salad for sure.

    If you ask me in Fall then this is hands down THE recipe I would point you towards.

    Up close shot of Garlic butter chicken with veggies in a large black cast iron skillet

    You will need:

    • 2 chicken breasts preferably organic
    • smoked paprika
    • organic unsalted butter
    • garlic
    • chicken stock
    • heavy cream
    • grated parmigiano reggiano
    • fresh thyme chopped
    • lemon 
    • broccoli
    • red onion
    • cherry tomatoes
    • baby spinach
    A white background with bowls containing chicken, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, red onion, lemon, parmesan and garlic

    If you prefer chicken thighs, you can absolutely use them in place of the chicken breasts, although you may need to adjust the cooking time.

    a chicken dish being served in a large black cast iron skillet with a glass of rose on the side, and a bowl of rice

    One Pan Dish

    Don't you just love meals that can be made in one dish/pan or skillet?

    Less dishes will always be a win in my books.

    This Lemon Garlic Chicken meal is all be made in one skillet, with about ten minutes of prep work; the rest is oven time, so you are free to go do whatever the hey you want.

    One Pan and 10 Minutes of Prep!

    Simply coat the chicken breasts or thighs in the paprika to coat and then cook over a medium heat for about 7 minutes until nice and golden brown on the outside.

    4 chicken thighs being cooked in a cast iron skillet
    The chicken should resemble this before being removed from the pan.

    Remove the chicken from the pan, and cook the sauce in the chicken juices until it becomes slightly thickened.

    Add the chicken back in, along with all of the veg except for the spinach.

    Uncooked vegetables in a pan with the lemon garlic butter chicken

    Pop back into the oven for about 25 minutes.

    Once cooked, remove from the oven and add in the baby spinach. Stir until just wilted.

    Baby spinach being added to a skillet with chicken and vegetables in a cream sauce

    How To Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

    To be honest, this really can be served as a meal all by itself.

    You have your veggies and some chicken and you should be good to go.

    Otherwise it would also be great with some:

    • Creamy Parmesan and Vegetable Orzo
    • Smashed Oregano Lemon Garlic Potatoes with Feta
    • Broccoli Rice as a low carb option
    • hot buttered noodles;
    • couscous:
    • a bed of steamed veg
    • or a simple side salad.

    I could harp on all day about how much I love this lemon garlic butter chicken dish (can you tell I am excited?), but just go try it out and see for yourself.

    I promise you won't be disappointed.

    A silver spoon taking a big spoonful of lemon garlic butter chicken from a large black cast iron skillet

    I would love to hear what you think of this one pan lemon garlic butter chicken recipe if you try it out! Be sure to leave a comment or pin to Pinterest for later. Happy eating 🙂

    Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

    Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bake

    Whole Food Bellies
    Everything cooks together in one pot and comes out total perfection. Still showing a hint of summer with little pops of flavour from cherry tomato, but hinting at the cooler weather to come with perfectly roasted chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce.
    4.17 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 serves
    Calories 358 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 chicken breasts preferably organic
    • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
    • 2 tablespoon organic unsalted butter
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 cup chicken stock
    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • ¼ cup grated parmigiano reggiano
    • 1 ½ teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
    • ½ lemon sliced
    • 1 cup broccoli cut into even sized small florets
    • ½ red onion cut into wedges
    • Handful of cherry tomatoes
    • 1 cup baby spinach

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 400F
    • Pop chicken breasts into a ziploc bag along with the paprika and shake to coat the chicken
    • Melt half the butter in an oven-safe pan (I used a cast iron skillet) over medium heat. Add in the paprika chicken breasts and cook for about 7 minutes, flipping the chicken half way through. Remove from the pan and set aside on a plate
    • Add the remaining butter into the same pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for about 2 minutes, until it becomes slightly golden and fragrant. Add in the chicken broth, cream, parmesan, thyme and a few squeezed lemon slices. Bring to a slow boil
    • Turn down the heat and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, or until it starts to thicken up
    • Pop the cooked chicken into the cream sauce. Surround with the broccoli, red onion wedges and cherry tomatoes. Add the remaining lemon slices on top of the chicken breasts
    • Place in the oven on a middle shelf and cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through
    • Remove from the oven and add the baby spinach. Stir through until slightly wilted
    • Serve and enjoy

    Nutrition

    Calories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 30gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 394mgPotassium: 711mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2438IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 138mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword lemon chicken, lemon garlic butter chicken
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Don’t forget to follow Whole Food Bellies on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration! Or if Pinterest isn’t your style, bookmark this post! Let’s keep the conversation going- join my Facebook group! 

    « Savory French Toast With Mushrooms Bacon and Cherry Tomatoes
    Whipped Feta Dip »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anamika says

      November 23, 2016 at 7:53 am

      Can you make this with chicken thighs? I find that chicken breast tends to get really dry when baked.

      Reply
      • Donna1 says

        November 26, 2016 at 12:32 am

        I haven't actually tried it with chicken thighs, although you could definitely do it, you will just need to adjust the cooking time. I would love to hear how you go! If it helps, I have made this about 10 times and never ended up with dry chicken breasts!

        Reply
    2. Kristin says

      October 22, 2015 at 5:15 am

      we are making this tonight! Looks a,axing.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 22, 2015 at 3:07 pm

        Yay 🙂 I hope you enjoy!!

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          November 06, 2015 at 8:15 pm

          It was great - thanks! Haakon and Ylva as well as our guests loved it too, so a big hit all around 🙂

          Reply
          • Donna1 says

            November 07, 2015 at 10:51 am

            Oh I am so glad 🙂

            Reply
    3. lifestyletalks.wordpress.com says

      October 16, 2015 at 11:43 am

      Hi Donna! Looks delicious! Definitely a good dish choice for fall. I hope your burns have been healing well...

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:17 pm

        Thanks Bieke! They have healed well, the first few days in the salt water was tough and go 🙂

        Reply
    4. Sandhya says

      October 15, 2015 at 11:18 pm

      I love food cooked in cast iron and your chicken looks absolutely picture perfect!

      Reply
    5. Marissa @ OMG FOOD says

      October 15, 2015 at 8:56 pm

      I can't even tell you how many times I have burned myself when cooking. I'm always a hot mess in the kitchen. 🙂 This dish looks amazing! Nothing beats a good warm meal when cold weather hits. <3

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:18 pm

        Oh tell me about it Marissa, I am always burning or cutting myself, I swear I go through more band-aids now than I ever did as a kid! This one hurt though, right on the chest and so visible!

        Reply
    6. shobha says

      October 15, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      Such a delicious and healthy meal.. I must get a similar skillet. Been wanting to get one since a long time.

      Reply
    7. Hollie says

      October 15, 2015 at 5:58 pm

      Goodness me, that looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:19 pm

        Oh thank you Hollie!

        Reply
    8. Amanda says

      October 15, 2015 at 5:29 pm

      This looks amazing. .. These are bone in? Skinless? Thanks! Can't wait to try!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:19 pm

        Thanks Amanda! Good question - these are skinless and no bones. I should probably clarify in the recipe - thanks for the heads up 🙂

        Reply
    9. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says

      October 15, 2015 at 4:59 pm

      I do love a good seasonal one pot - and this is perfect for autumn, lots and lots of flavour and really easy to make too.

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:20 pm

        Thanks Helen! Yes, it is super easy! My definite go to meal this season (even though the weather here hasn't caught on to the whole autumn thing yet)

        Reply
    10. Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy says

      October 15, 2015 at 4:55 pm

      Yes, this garlic butter chicken bake is definitely a delicious comfort food! Chicken and potatoes goes wonderfully together! And made in one pan, wow, I know I will be making this! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:21 pm

        Oh thanks so much Neli! Chicken and potatoes are my favourite (probably something to do with growing up in Ireland 🙂 )

        Reply
    11. Camilla says

      October 15, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      I wow this dish looks and sounds totally delicious, must bookmark and make;-)

      Reply
      • Whole Food Bellies says

        October 16, 2015 at 9:21 pm

        Thanks Camilla, I hope you give it a go!

        Reply

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

    More about me →

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