Print

Irresistible One-Pan Lemon Pepper Chicken and Broccoli

one-pan lemon pepper chicken and broccoli - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring juicy lemon pepper chicken and crisp-tender broccoli, perfect for healthy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 10.5 ounces)
  • Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and trim any excess fat. Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix black pepper, salt, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Rub this seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
  3. Zest the lemon using a zester or fine grater, avoiding the white pith. Then squeeze out the lemon juice and set both aside separately.
  4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking.
  5. Place chicken breasts in the hot pan and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown on the underside. Flip and cook another 3 minutes.
  6. Push the chicken to one side of the pan. Add minced garlic and broccoli florets to the other side. Stir broccoli to coat in oil and garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant and starting to soften.
  7. Drizzle lemon juice over the chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle lemon zest on top.
  8. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for 5-7 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and broccoli is tender-crisp.
  9. Remove the lid and cook uncovered for another minute if desired to add color to the broccoli. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed.
  10. Serve immediately, plating chicken alongside broccoli and spooning any lemony pan juices over the top.

Notes

[‘Pat chicken dry to ensure a good sear and lock in juices.’, ‘Do not rush the sear; let chicken brown undisturbed for best flavor.’, ‘Use medium heat for broccoli to keep it crisp-tender without burning.’, ‘Covering the pan steams broccoli and finishes cooking chicken evenly.’, ‘Adjust seasoning at the end as lemon juice can mellow flavors.’, ‘If chicken breasts are thick, pound slightly for even cooking.’, ‘Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning.’, ‘Fresh lemon zest adds brightness that juice alone cannot provide.’, ‘Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pepper chicken, one-pan meal, healthy dinner, broccoli, quick recipe, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free, low-carb

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/irresistible-one-pan-lemon-pepper-chicken-and-broccoli-recipe-for-easy-healthy-dinners/