Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

Chicken breasts: The main protein of the dish, providing a lean and tender base.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken, adding a rich and smooth flavor.

Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic taste that complements the lemon.

Lemon: Provides a fresh, zesty flavor with both juice and zest.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the seasoning.

When searing the chicken breasts in the skillet, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding can cause the chicken to steam rather than sear, which will prevent it from developing a nice golden-brown crust. If necessary, sear the chicken in batches to ensure each piece gets an even, crispy exterior.

• chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and can be cooked in the same way as chicken breasts.

• chicken breasts - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, tofu can absorb the flavors of the marinade well.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and a neutral flavor that works well in cooking.

• olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for its slightly sweet flavor and high smoke point.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish.

• juiced and zested lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor.

• juiced and zested lemon - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar can offer a similar tangy acidity.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the dish.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a different texture and a slightly different flavor profile.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a bit of a kick to the dish.

• Allow the chicken breasts to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy chicken.

• Use airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to store the lemon garlic chicken. This will help maintain its flavor and prevent it from absorbing other odors in the fridge or freezer.

• If storing in the refrigerator, place the chicken in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

• For freezing, wrap each chicken breast individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer bag. This extra layer of protection helps prevent freezer burn.

• Label the containers or bags with the date to keep track of how long the chicken has been stored. Frozen lemon garlic chicken can be kept for up to 3 months.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.

• Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is heated through without drying out.

• Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil or chicken broth to keep it moist.

• Serve the reheated lemon garlic chicken with fresh sides like steamed vegetables or a crisp salad to complement its flavors.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a splash of chicken broth or a bit more lemon juice to keep the chicken moist.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the leftover chicken breasts in the skillet.
  4. Cover and cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is warmed through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken breasts on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the chicken from drying out.
  3. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe cover or another plate.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through, until the chicken is heated through.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and cook for about 45 minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken from the bag and serve immediately.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
  3. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is heated through and slightly crispy.

• Oven: Used for baking the chicken to ensure it is cooked through.

• Skillet: Used for searing the chicken breasts and cooking the garlic.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts in the skillet.

• Knife: Essential for mincing the garlic and zesting the lemon.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for preparing the garlic and lemon.

• Zester: Used to zest the lemon, adding a burst of citrus flavor to the dish.

• Juicer: Helps extract the juice from the lemon efficiently.

• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for combining the lemon juice and zest before adding to the chicken.

• Oven mitts: Protects your hands when transferring the skillet to and from the oven.

Preheat while prepping: Save time by preheating the oven while you season the chicken breasts.

Use a garlic press: Mince garlic quickly with a garlic press instead of chopping by hand.

Zest before juicing: Zest the lemon before juicing to make the process smoother and faster.

One-pan method: Use an oven-safe skillet to both sear and bake the chicken, reducing cleanup time.

Batch seasoning: Season all chicken breasts at once to streamline the process.