Healthy Lemon Herb Chicken & Asparagus for Two

• •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. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

2. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.