Lemon pepper chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that can be easily prepared in the oven. This recipe combines the tangy taste of lemon with the aromatic flavor of black pepper, resulting in a mouthwatering chicken dish that is perfect for any occasion.

By following this simple recipe, you can create a juicy and tender chicken with a crispy and flavorful skin.

To start, gather the ingredients: chicken pieces, lemon juice, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and olive oil. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature.

Marinating the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder is the key to infusing it with the rich flavors. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator for even more intense flavor.

Next, drizzle some olive oil over the chicken pieces and place them in a baking dish. Make sure to arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Sprinkle some additional lemon pepper seasoning over the chicken if desired.

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken will turn golden brown and crispy on the outside, while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.

Serve the lemon pepper chicken hot with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

In conclusion, cooking lemon pepper chicken in the oven is a simple and flavorful way to enjoy a delicious chicken dish. With a few basic ingredients and easy steps, you can create a mouthwatering meal that will impress your family and friends.

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.

3. Place the chicken pieces in a large baking dish. Pour the lemon juice mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.

4. Sprinkle the lemon zest and pepper evenly over the chicken.

5. Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes.

6. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

7. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

8. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices, if desired.

Ingredients: Instructions:
– 1/4 cup lemon juice – Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
– 2 tablespoons olive oil – In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
– 4 cloves garlic, minced – Place the chicken pieces in a large baking dish. Pour the lemon juice mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
– 1 teaspoon salt – Sprinkle the lemon zest and pepper evenly over the chicken.
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – Cover the baking dish with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
– Zest of 1 lemon – Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
– 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning – Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
– Fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish (optional) – Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices, if desired.
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Gather the ingredients

Before you start cooking lemon pepper chicken in the oven, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand:

– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

– 2 tablespoons of olive oil

– 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

– 1 tablespoon of lemon zest

– 1 tablespoon of black pepper

– 1 teaspoon of salt

– 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

– 1 teaspoon of onion powder

– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme

– 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary

– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano

Make sure the chicken breasts are thawed if you are using frozen ones. Also, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is ready when you need it.

Preheat the oven

Before you start cooking your delicious lemon pepper chicken, you need to preheat the oven. This step is crucial to ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and thoroughly.

To preheat the oven, follow these simple steps:

  1. First, check to make sure there are no items left inside the oven. Remove any baking sheets, racks, or other objects.
  2. Next, adjust the oven rack to the middle position. This will ensure that the chicken is cooked evenly.
  3. Turn on the oven by pressing the “Preheat” button or by setting the temperature manually. For lemon pepper chicken, it is recommended to preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  4. Wait for the oven to reach the desired temperature. This may take a few minutes, depending on the oven model.
  5. While waiting for the oven to preheat, you can start preparing the chicken by seasoning it with lemon pepper and other desired spices.

Once the oven has reached the desired temperature and the chicken is seasoned, you are ready to move on to the next step of cooking the lemon pepper chicken in the oven.

Prepare the chicken

Before cooking the lemon pepper chicken, it is important to properly prepare the chicken. Follow these steps to ensure the chicken is ready for cooking:

Gather the necessary ingredients

Before you start preparing the chicken, gather all the necessary ingredients. For this recipe, you will need the following:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 lemons
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried oregano

Clean the chicken

Start by cleaning the chicken breasts. Rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove any excess fat or skin from the chicken breasts.

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Marinate the chicken

In a bowl, combine the juice and zest of 1 lemon, olive oil, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Mix well to create a marinade.

Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure it is coated evenly. Cover the dish or seal the bag and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.

Once the chicken is prepared, you are ready to move on to the next step: cooking the lemon pepper chicken in the oven.

Make the lemon pepper seasoning

To make the lemon pepper seasoning for your chicken dish, you will need the following ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of garlic powder

In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Mix well with a spoon to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, you can adjust the amount of lemon zest according to your taste. Similarly, you can increase or decrease the amount of black pepper, salt, and garlic powder based on your preferences.

Once the lemon pepper seasoning is ready, you can proceed to use it to season your chicken before cooking it in the oven.

Coat the chicken

To begin preparing lemon pepper chicken in the oven, you will need to coat the chicken with the seasoning. Start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, dried oregano, and salt. Mix well to create the marinade.

Place the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and brush the marinade mixture evenly over each piece. Make sure all sides of the chicken are coated with the marinade.

Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes. This will help infuse the flavors into the meat and make it more tender.

After marinating, transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for approximately 25-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the chicken retain its juices.

Now, you have perfectly cooked lemon pepper chicken ready to be served. It pairs well with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh garden salad. Enjoy!

Bake the chicken

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place the marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

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Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

During baking, you can brush the chicken with some melted butter or olive oil to keep it moist.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Ingredients Instructions
– 4 chicken thighs – Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
– 2 lemons, juiced and zested – Place the marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
– 2 tablespoons olive oil – Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
– 2 cloves garlic, minced – During baking, you can brush the chicken with some melted butter or olive oil to keep it moist.
– 1 teaspoon black pepper – Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon paprika

Notes

  • Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
  • You can adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.

Conclusion

Baking lemon pepper chicken in the oven is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this flavorful dish. The combination of tangy lemon juice, zesty lemon zest, and savory black pepper creates a mouthwatering taste that is sure to impress. Serve the chicken with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!

FAQ

What is lemon pepper chicken?

Lemon pepper chicken is a delicious dish made by seasoning chicken with a combination of lemon zest and freshly ground black pepper. It is a popular recipe that can be prepared in various ways, including grilling, frying, or baking in the oven.

How do I make lemon pepper chicken in the oven?

To make lemon pepper chicken in the oven, start by preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C). Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and lemon zest, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the chicken for about 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve hot and enjoy!

Can I use lemon juice instead of lemon zest?

While lemon juice can add a tangy flavor to dishes, it is not ideal for substituting lemon zest in lemon pepper chicken. Lemon zest contains the essential oils of the lemon’s peel, which provide a more concentrated and aromatic citrus flavor. It is recommended to use lemon zest for the best results in this recipe.

What can I serve with lemon pepper chicken?

Lemon pepper chicken pairs well with many side dishes. Some popular options include roasted vegetables such as broccoli or asparagus, a fresh green salad, rice pilaf, or mashed potatoes. You can also serve it with a side of garlic bread or a crusty baguette to soak up the delicious juices.