Healthy Lemon Herb Chicken & Asparagus for Two
A light and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts and crisp-tender asparagus, brightened with fresh lemon and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.
by Basil RouxIngredients
- •1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- •1.5 lb fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- •3 tablespoon olive oil
- •1 large lemon, juiced and zested
- •4 garlic cloves, minced
- •1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- •1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- •0.3 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- • to taste fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- 2
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If the chicken breasts are very thick, you can butterfly them or pound them lightly to an even thickness (about 1-inch) for more even cooking.
- 3
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- 4
Place the chicken breasts on one side of the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle about half of the lemon-herb mixture over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated. Reserve the remaining mixture.
- 5
Toss the trimmed asparagus with the remaining lemon-herb mixture in the same bowl or directly on the other side of the baking sheet, ensuring it's evenly coated.
- 6
Arrange the chicken and asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This helps them roast rather than steam.
- 7
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the asparagus is tender-crisp. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken.
- 8
Once cooked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Chef's Tips
- 💡For extra flavor and a slightly crisper texture, you can broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- 💡Do not overcrowd the baking sheet; if necessary, use two baking sheets to ensure the chicken and asparagus roast evenly and get nicely browned.
- 💡Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference for spice.
- 💡Fresh herbs make a significant difference in this dish; dried herbs can be substituted but use about half the amount.
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