Best 20 Lemony Chicken Recipes

LEMONY ROASTED CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Place potatoes, onion and sliced lemon in a large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt, rosemary and pepper. Spread evenly in a greased roasting pan. Roast on an upper oven rack 20 minutes., Meanwhile, toss chicken with paprika and the remaining salt, rosemary and pepper. In a large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches., Place chicken over potato mixture. Roast until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 170° and potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove chicken from pan. Immediately add spinach to vegetables, stirring to wilt slightly. Serve with chicken and, if desired, lemon wedges.

LEMONY MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Combine olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Place chicken breasts into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Brush lemon juice mixture over chicken.
• Place potatoes, red bell pepper strips, red onion, and lemon slices in a bowl, pour remaining lemon juice mixture over vegetables, and toss to coat. Arrange vegetables and lemon slices around chicken breasts in baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes; brush chicken and vegetables with pan drippings. Continue baking until chicken is browned, the juices run clear, and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a breast reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 30 more minutes.

SLOW-COOKER LEMONY CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• In a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker, combine the stock, chicken, leeks, carrots, celery, garlic, red-pepper flakes, onion powder and several generous grinds of black pepper. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt if using salted stock, 1 teaspoon kosher salt if using low-sodium stock or 2 teaspoons kosher salt if using unsalted stock. Cover and cook on low until the chicken and vegetables are very tender, about 7 hours.
• Increase the heat to high. Using two forks, tear apart the chicken into bite-size pieces. Add the lemon juice, asparagus, peas and tortellini, if using, to the soup. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender to crisp-tender, and the tortellini is cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the herbs; season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls to serve.

LEMONY CHICKEN WITH FRESH CORIANDER (MADHUR JAFFREY)

Steps:

• Put the ginger and 1/4 cups water into a blender or processor. Blend until you have a paste; set aside.
• Note: The original recipe doesn't call for seasoning the chicken prior to browning, but I prefer the way the salt and pepper penetrates at this level. Also, I cut the breasts in half. Proceede by putting the oil in a wide, heavy pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, put in as many chicken pieces as the pan will hold in a single layer and brown on both sides. It's not necessary to deeply brown because of the additional cook time later and they may become dry. Remove the chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and put them in a bowl. Sear all the chicken pieces this way.
• Add the garlic to the hot oil. As soon as the pieces turn a medium-brown color, turn heat to medium and pour in the ginger paste. Stir-fry it for a minute. Add the fresh coriander, jalapeno, cayenne, cumin, coriander, turmeric and salt. Stir and cook for a minute.
• Put in all the chicken pieces as well as any liquid that might have accumulated in the chicken bowl. Add 2/3 cup water and the lemon juice. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover tightly, turn heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.
• Turn the chicken pieces over. Cover again and cook another 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is tender. If the sauce is too thin, uncover the pan and boil some of it away over a slightly higher heat.
• Serve with basmati rice.

LEMONY CHICKEN WITH FRESH CORIANDER

Steps:

• Put the ginger and 1/4 cup water into a blender and blend into a paste. Set aside.
• Place the oil in a wide, heavy, preferably nonstick pot over medium-high heat. When hot, add as many chicken pieces as fit in a single layer and brown on both sides. Remove them and continue until all the chicken is browned.
• Add the garlic to the hot oil. As soon as it turns medium brown, turn down the heat to medium and pour in the ginger paste. Stir and fry for a minute. Add the fresh coriander, chili, cayenne, cumin, coriander seeds, turmeric and salt. Cook, stirring, for a minute. Add the chicken pieces as well as any juices that have accumulated. Add 2/3 cup water to the pot and the lemon juice. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover tightly, turn heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces over. Cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more, until chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the chicken. If the sauce is too thin, boil some of the liquid away over a higher heat. Serve with basmati rice.

CRISP CHICKEN SCHNITZEL WITH LEMONY HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Mince anchovies and garlic and mix with a large pinch of salt until you get a rough paste. Put it in bowl and whisk in the lemon zest, juice and another pinch of salt and some pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
• Place eggs in one shallow dish, bread crumbs in another, and flour mixed with cayenne and nutmeg in a third. Season chicken cutlets generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1/8 inch oil in a large skillet. While oil heats, dip cutlets one by one into flour (shake off any excess), then into eggs (ditto) and finally into the bread crumbs, taking care not to handle chicken more than necessary (hold meat by ends).
• When oil sizzles when a pinch of bread crumbs is thrown in, add a chicken cutlet (or two if your skillet is large, leave plenty of room around them). Swirl pan so oil cascades over top of cutlet in waves. When bottom is golden brown, about 3 minutes, flip and brown the other side, swirling pan (swirling helps create air pockets, giving you lighter schnitzel). Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking platter or baking tray and sprinkle with more salt. Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Toss salad greens and herbs with just enough anchovy-lemon dressing to lightly coat them. Divide salad on serving plates and top with schnitzel. Drizzle with more dressing and garnish with scallions.

GREEK-STYLE LEMONY CHICKEN BREASTS WITH KALAMATA OLIVES AND FETA

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Slice each clove of garlic into three slices.
• Lift the skin gently from the chicken breasts without detaching it and place the 3 slices of garlic under the skin of each breast, then replace the skin.
• Gently rub each breast with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season each breast with salt and pepper.
• Place the lemon slices in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then arrange the chicken over the lemon.
• Sprinkle the oregano over the chicken and toss the olives all around the chicken pieces in the dish.
• Drizzle more olive oil around the chicken pieces if desired this is not necessary but I like to do it!).
• Bake for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is done.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with feta cheese.

LEMONY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, saute onion in oil and butter until tender. Add chicken; cook and stir until chicken is lightly browned and meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the broth, carrot, peas and basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the noodles. Cover and simmer until noodles are tender, 8-10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice.

LEMONY CHICKEN SOUP WITH FARRO, WHITE BEANS, AND KALE

Steps:

• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium-high. Cook carrots, half of the onion, and 3 sliced garlic cloves, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add chicken carcass, if using, and broth; cover and simmer 30 minutes. (If you're not using carcass, simmer 15 minutes.)
• Meanwhile, toast farro in another large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown and smells nutty, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp. salt and 3 cups water. Cover and simmer until farro is tender and liquid evaporates, about 30 minutes; strain any remaining liquid, if necessary. Set aside 2 cups farro for Dill-Crusted Pork Tenderloin or reserve for another use.
• Strain chicken broth mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; discard carcass and vegetables. Set aside 2 cups broth for Potato, Leek, and Pea Pot Pie or reserve for another use.
• Wipe out pot, then heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil over low. Cook remaining onion and 9 sliced garlic cloves, stirring occasionally, until tender and light golden, 8-10 minutes. Add remaining broth left in bowl, increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer. Add reserved chicken meat, beans, kale, lemon juice, pepper, and remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt and farro left in pot; cook until vegetables are cooked through, 3-5 minutes.
• Divide soup among bowls. Stir 1 Tbsp. salsa verde into each bowl, if using, and sprinkle with dill. Serve with baguette slices and lemon wedges alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Soup can be made 2 days ahead. Chill in a resealable container.

DAD'S LEMONY GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the first 5 ingredients until blended; stir in onions. Pour 1-1/2 cups marinade into a large shallow dish. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade., Prepare grill for indirect heat. Drain chicken, discarding marinade in dish. Place chicken on grill rack, skin side up. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat 15 minutes. Turn; grill until a thermometer reads 170°-175°, 15-20 minutes longer, basting occasionally with reserved marinade.

LEMONY CHICKEN ASPARAGUS WITH BOW TIES

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large skillet, saute chicken in butter until juices run clear. Remove with a slotted spoon. Reduce heat to medium; add the asparagus, broth and lemon juice. Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. , Stir in the cream, onions, parsley, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Return chicken to the pan; heat through. Drain pasta; add to the skillet.

LEMONY CHICKEN & RICE

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, combine the first 7 ingredients. Add chicken; turn to coat and cover. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 325°. Spread 1 cup rice into each of 2 greased 13x9-in. baking dishes. Top each with 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 8 chicken thighs and half the marinade. Top with sliced lemons., Bake, covered, 40 minutes. Bake, uncovered, until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 170°-175°, 15-20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with remaining lemon zest.

LEMONY CHICKEN-FETA MEATBALL SOUP WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add the chicken, feta, 1/4 cup oats, the grated onion, most of the dill (reserve about 2 tablespoons for garnish), the cumin, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon salt. Gently combine without squeezing too hard or overworking the meat. Lightly wet your palms and shape the meat into small balls, a little smaller than the size of a golf ball, about 1 1/2 inches. (You will have approximately 25 balls.)
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or wide pot over medium until shimmering. Add the diced onion, season with salt, and cook until it begins to soften, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon turmeric and the red-pepper flakes, and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Push the onions to the sides as best you can, then add the meatballs. (They will be close together, and that's OK.) Cook until browned on two sides, 5 to 7 minutes total.
• Pour in the broth and remaining ½ cup oats, then gently tilt the pot to the right and left to distribute the oats and broth without disturbing the meatballs. Bring to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to maintain an active simmer. Season with salt. Cook, gently stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom, until the oats have softened and the meatballs are cooked through, about 4 minutes more.
• Stir in the spinach and lemon juice until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes more. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Spoon into bowls, top with pepper and the remaining dill. Serve with lemon wedges.

LEMONY CHICKEN MILANESE WITH ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Using meat mallet or rolling pin, flatten chicken between sheets of plastic wrap to thickness of 1/2 inch. Whisk eggs in medium bowl to blend. Mix panko, 2 tablespoons parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper on plate. Dip chicken in beaten eggs; turn to coat. Dredge in breadcrumb mixture, coating completely.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plates; sprinkle with lemon juice. Toss arugula with remaining 1 tablespoon oil in medium bowl to coat; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mound salad atop chicken.

LEMONY PORK OR CHICKEN SCALOPPINE WITH LEMON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Pound the cutlets into 1/4" thick cutlets. Season with salt, pepper and a dash of garlic powder.
• In one bowl, whisk together eggs and milk or water. In another dish, add flour, season with a little salt and pepper and lemon zest, stirring to combine.
• Dip pork cutlets into the egg mixture, turning to coat then dip into the flour mixture; coating both sides. Lay coated cutlets on waxed paper.
• In a large saute pan, heat the butter and oil until hot. Fry the cutlets until they are browned on each side, about 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Place cutlets on a serving platter and drizzle the lemon sauce on top. Garnish with minced parsley.
• To make lemon cream sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add lemon juice, heavy cream, cheese, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer low for 7-10 minutes until sauce reduces and thickens to desired consistency.

LEMONY FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large re-sealable plastic bag, mix together the buttermilk, olive oil, coriander, lemon zest and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag and massage to coat. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 1 day, turning the chicken pieces occasionally.
• Add enough oil to a large, heavy frying pan (preferably cast iron) to come 1 inch up the sides of the pan. Heat over medium until the oil reaches 325 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer.
• Place the flour in a medium bowl and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Working one piece at a time, remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge in the seasoned flour. Shake off the excess flour, then add the chicken to the hot oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and just cooked through, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a cooling rack over a baking sheet and allow to drain.
• Arrange the fried chicken on a warm platter and serve with lemon wedges.

LEMONY CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in broth, milk and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. , Stir in chicken, lemon juice and seasonings; heat through over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Serve with lemon wedges.

LEMONY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Season the chicken breasts with salt, then gently press into the flour to coat; shake off the excess flour. Arrange the chicken in the skillet. Cook until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes on each side. Add the white wine and lemon juice. Continue cooking until the chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and the cooking liquid is reduced by half, 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Remove the skillet from heat, and stir butter into the sauce until melted. Pour sauce over the chicken breasts, and garnish with capers and lemon wedges.

SLICED POACHED CHICKEN WITH LIGHT AND LEMONY GRAVY

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a deep skillet or pot with the onion, celery, carrot, and bay leaves. Cover with just enough water to come to the top of the meat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and then simmer until cooked through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate with tongs and tent with foil. Strain the poaching liquid and reserve 1 cup.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add the butter to melt. Add the shallot and garlic and stir for 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir another minute. Stir in the thyme and wine. Add lemon zest and juice, the reserved poaching liquid, and simmer to reduce the sauce and thicken a bit. Stir in the cream, if desired. Slice the chicken and add to the sauce to warm. Serve with bread or a simple pasta dish such as Egg Pasta with Leeks. Garnish with basil and serve.

LEMONY CHICKEN PICCATA

Steps:

• Flatten chicken to 1/2-in. thickness. In a large plastic resealable bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper; add the chicken, one piece at a time. Seal bag and toss to coat. , In a small skillet, brown chicken in oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm. , Add wine and garlic to the pan; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add the broth, lemon juice and capers. Bring to a boil; cook for 1-2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in butter and lemon slices. Return chicken to the pan; heat through.