The Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe: Juicy, Zesty, and Wonderfully Simple

Are you on the hunt for a dinner that’s brimming with vibrant, zesty flavour but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen? We’ve all faced that moment, staring into the fridge after a busy day, craving something delicious but straightforward. It’s a common weeknight challenge. Well, we’ve got the ideal solution for you, a dish that’s refined enough for company yet easy enough for a weekday supper: our fabulous Lemon Pepper Chicken.

This recipe truly champions the beauty of simplicity. It uses just a few basic ingredients to create a mouth-watering meal that the entire family will love. The secret is in the delightful harmony between tangy lemon and aromatic, freshly cracked black pepper, which forms a spectacular crust on the tender, succulent chicken. Say goodbye to uninspired chicken dinners; this is a dish that radiates flavour and is destined to become a firm favourite in your culinary collection. Come along as we walk you through everything required to perfect this classic meal.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• A Symphony of Flavour: The blend of sharp lemon zest, bright citrus juice, and bold black pepper delivers a taste that is fresh, invigorating, and completely irresistible.
• Wonderfully Adaptable: We’ll guide you on how to perfect this recipe in the oven, on the barbecue, or even as crispy, delicious wings. It’s one core recipe with countless variations!
• Quick and Effortless: With very little preparation and a simple cooking method, you can have an impressive dinner on the table in less than an hour, making it a true weeknight saviour.
• Made with Kitchen Staples: There are no obscure or hard-to-source ingredients here. You most likely have all you need—chicken, lemons, pepper, garlic, and olive oil—ready in your kitchen.
• Healthy and Light: This dish is naturally low in carbohydrates and rich in protein. It aligns perfectly with a healthy lifestyle without compromising on taste. For more inspiration, feel free to browse our other Healthy Chicken Recipes.

The Perfect Flavour Pairing: What is Lemon Pepper?

Before we jump into the method, let’s explore the star ingredient: lemon pepper seasoning. It’s so much more than a dash of lemon juice and a twist of pepper. Authentic lemon pepper seasoning is a mixture of dried lemon peel and cracked black peppercorns. The dehydrated zest offers a deep, concentrated lemon taste that fresh juice alone cannot provide. When paired with the fiery kick of black pepper, it forms a beautifully balanced and fragrant seasoning.

Although you can purchase ready-made lemon pepper seasoning, creating your own is remarkably simple and gives you full control over the quality and salt levels. You just need to combine fresh lemon zest with coarsely ground black pepper and a touch of salt, then spread the mix on a baking tray to dry in a low-temperature oven. For this recipe, however, we’ll be using fresh ingredients to whip up a lively marinade that infuses the chicken with the most vibrant flavour possible.

Gathering Your Ingredients

The charm of this recipe lies in its concise and straightforward list of ingredients. For the very best outcome, we always suggest using the freshest components available. Freshly squeezed lemon juice and freshly cracked pepper truly elevate the dish.

• Chicken: We find that around 1kg of your favourite chicken cut is ideal. Boneless, skinless breasts or thighs are perfect. You could also opt for bone-in, skin-on pieces or even wings.
• Lemons: You will require 2 large lemons for both their zest and juice. The zest is packed with essential oils that carry the most powerful lemon flavour.
• Black Pepper: Two teaspoons of freshly cracked black pepper are needed. Using a pepper grinder will provide a far superior texture and aroma compared to pre-ground pepper.
• Olive Oil: Three tablespoons of a good-quality extra virgin olive oil will help to bind the marinade and ensure the chicken remains moist.
• Garlic: Three to four cloves, freshly minced. This introduces a wonderful savoury depth that pairs beautifully with the lemon and pepper.
• Salt: One teaspoon of sea salt, or adjusted to your preference.
• Fresh Parsley (Optional): A handful of chopped fresh parsley adds a lovely splash of green for garnish and a hint of extra freshness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Lemon Pepper Chicken

Right then, let’s get down to cooking! We’re going to concentrate on our preferred method, baking, as it’s exceptionally reliable and yields wonderfully succulent results. We’ll touch upon other techniques a little later on.

1. First, Prep Your Chicken: Begin by patting your chicken pieces thoroughly dry with kitchen paper. This is a vital step! Getting rid of the surface moisture helps the marinade adhere properly and encourages the chicken to brown nicely rather than steam in the oven.
2. Mix the Zesty Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, freshly cracked black pepper, and salt until they are fully combined. This simple concoction is the source of all that incredible flavour.
3. Coat the Chicken: Pop the dry chicken pieces into a large bowl or a resealable bag. Pour the marinade over them, ensuring every piece is evenly coated. For the richest flavour, allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or for as long as 4 hours. If you’re pressed for time, you can move directly to the cooking stage.
4. Arrange for Baking: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). Place the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer within a baking dish or on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. It’s important not to overcrowd the pan, as this can make the chicken steam.
5. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the chicken to the preheated oven. The cooking time will depend on the cut and its thickness. Boneless breasts generally require 20-25 minutes, whereas bone-in thighs might take 30-35 minutes. The chicken is cooked when it’s golden and a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
6. Rest and Garnish: Once cooked through, take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to settle back into the meat, guaranteeing every mouthful is moist and tender. Garnish with fresh parsley just before serving.

Mastering Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken

The oven method is our go-to for a very good reason. It provides consistent, all-around heat, making sure the chicken cooks evenly with minimal effort. To achieve a perfectly golden-brown surface, you can switch the oven to the grill setting for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Just be sure to watch it closely to prevent it from catching. This simple trick adds a lovely colour and a slightly crisp texture, making your baked lemon pepper chicken look as fantastic as it tastes.

Exploring Other Cooking Methods

This wonderfully flexible recipe can be tailored to various cooking methods, with each one lending a distinct texture and flavour. Whether you’re lighting up the barbecue or need a snack for game day, we have you covered.

Creating Delicious Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken

When the weather is fine, there’s nothing quite like the smoky char from a barbecue. To make grilled lemon pepper chicken, simply follow the same marinating instructions. Preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to stop the chicken from sticking. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side, adjusting for thickness. The intense heat will give you those beautiful grill marks and a superb, smoky taste that complements the zesty marinade perfectly.

Irresistible Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

For a crowd-pleasing starter, this recipe can be easily adapted to create sensational lemon pepper chicken wings. Ensure the wings are patted completely dry—this is particularly crucial for achieving crispy skin. Toss them in the marinade and then arrange them on a wire rack placed over a baking tray. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 40-50 minutes, turning them over halfway, until they are golden-brown and crisp. For even crispier results, you can toss the wings in a small amount of baking powder with the salt and pepper before mixing in the wet marinade ingredients.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Results

To ensure you can recreate this dish perfectly every time, we have put together a few of our most helpful tips.

• Don’t Be Shy with the Zest: The zest contains the most concentrated lemon oils. Always remember to zest your lemon before you squeeze it for juice!
• Fresh is Always Superior: While bottled lemon juice and pre-ground pepper can be used in a pinch, using fresh ingredients will take the flavour of your dish from merely good to truly exceptional.
• Invest in a Meat Thermometer: The most dependable way to prevent dry, overcooked chicken is by using a meat thermometer. As per the UK’s Food Standards Agency, chicken is cooked safely when its internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
• Allow it to Rest: We cannot emphasise this enough. Resting the chicken after it comes out of the oven is essential for it to retain its juices. If you slice into it straight away, all of that wonderful moisture will escape onto your board.

What to Serve With Your Simple Lemon Chicken

This simple lemon chicken dish is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. Its bright, clean taste works well with both starchy and green accompaniments. We particularly enjoy serving it with roasted asparagus or tenderstem broccoli, a helping of creamy mashed potatoes, or a fluffy rice pilaf that can soak up all the delicious pan juices. For a lighter option, a fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette dressing makes an excellent partner. It serves as a fantastic centrepiece for a meal, much like our Garlic Butter Chicken And Veggies, where its flavours are allowed to shine.

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Dinner

And there we have it—a simple, flavour-filled Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe that is guaranteed to be a hit. It stands as a wonderful example of how you don’t need an extensive list of complex ingredients to whip up a truly memorable meal. With its bright, zesty character and amazing adaptability, we’re sure this dish will secure a permanent place in your weekly dinner rotation.

So, the next time you find yourself pondering what to cook for dinner, we hope you’ll remember this easy and elegant solution. We wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a go this week! Don’t forget to save it, share it with friends, and let us know how you got on in the comments section below. Happy cooking!

Healthy Lemon Pepper Chicken Dish

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A wonderfully simple and juicy chicken dish, bursting with the bright flavours of fresh lemon and cracked black pepper. Perfect for a healthy and quick weeknight meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (+30 mins marinating)
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1kg your preferred cut of chicken
• 2 large lemons (for zest and juice)
• 2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with kitchen paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, pepper, and salt to create the marinade.
3. Coat the chicken thoroughly in the marinade. For best results, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-35 minutes, depending on the cut, or until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
6. Remove from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before garnishing and serving.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 310 kcal
Protein: 36g
Carbs: 2g
Fat: 17g

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