• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sweet Peas and Saffron

meal prep recipes for busy people

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Meal Type
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Lunch
      • Salad
      • Sides
      • Soups & Stews
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Grill
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot Meals
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Carb
      • Nut Free
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
    • Main Ingredient
      • Beans
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Eggs
      • Lentils
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Meal Prep
  • Meal Prep
    • How to Meal Prep
    • Vegetarian
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
  • Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot 101
    • Chicken
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • 30 Minutes
    • One Pot Meals
    • Salad
    • Soups & Stews
    • Casseroles
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
  • Freezer
    • Vegetarian
    • Chicken
    • Casserole
    • Crockpot Freezer Meals
    • Chicken Marinades
    • Freezer Meal Do's & Don'ts
  • Shop
  • Start Here
    • Start Here
    • Denise Bustard of Sweet Peas & Saffron
    • Contact
go to homepage
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Meal Prep
  • Instant Pot
  • Dinner
  • Freezer
  • Shop
  • Start Here
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken

    October 4, 2018 by Denise Bustard 19 Comments

    Home / Recipes / Chicken / Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken

    Jump to Recipe

    This recipe for baked lemon pepper chicken makes a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy. Use it for meal prep or as a weeknight dinner!

    baked lemon pepper chicken on a cutting board

    Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a staple in my house and there have been SO many recipes on the blog, including Freezable Chicken Marinades, Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes and Slow Cooker Chicken Breast Recipes.

    Today's baked lemon pepper chicken recipe is not actually a new recipe per se, but one of our marinades from the 7 MORE Freezer-Friendly Chicken Breast Recipes. It is one of my faves and totally deserves its own post, don't you think?

    Don't forget to pin this recipe to save it for later!

    Reasons you'll love baked lemon pepper chicken

    • the spice rub is delicious and also works on potatoes and veggies
    • you can have dinner on the table quickly
    • even kids love it!
    • it's low carb and gluten-free

    ingredients used in this lemon pepper chicken recipe

    How to make it

    This chicken benefits from marinating in the marinade for 2-24 hours. You can even freeze your chicken right in the marinade, and it absorbs so much delicious flavor as it thaws!

    However, I have been known to skip the marinade step altogether in a pinch and it still gets great flavor from the seasonings.

    1. Mix together your seasonings: lemon pepper, salt, basil, oregano and thyme leaves.
    2. Toss chicken in olive oil (to coat), then toss it in the seasoning. The chicken breasts should be very generously coated!
    3. Marinate for 2-24 hours (or you can skip this step).
    4. Bake at 450°F for indicated time (see the recipe card for times)
    5. Cover and rest for 5-10 minutes.
    6. Slice and enjoy!

    *note that this recipe has very assertive flavors that are great mixed in with rice and vegetables. If you like more mellow flavors, reduce the spices in half.

    lemon pepper chicken breast marinating in a silicone bag

    Does the marinade work with chicken thighs as well?

    Sure does! For chicken thighs, I bake at 425°F for 30 minutes (skin on bone in) or 20-30 minutes (boneless skinless).

    How can I tell if my chicken is cooked through?

    One way I test is to touch the middle of the breast with my finger. If it is still really wobbly, it’s not cooked through. If it is firm and springy, it may be cooked through.

    You can also test by using an instant read thermometer, checking that it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.

    Estimated cook time for chicken breasts at 450°F

    • 5 oz 12-15 min
    • 7 oz 15-20 min
    • 10 oz 20-25 min

    lemon pepper chicken before baking on a baking sheet

    What to serve with it

    I have so many ideas for side dishes that would pair well with this recipe!

    • Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
    • Grilled Broccoli with Lemon & Parmesan
    • Autumn Apple Farro Salad
    • any of these 3 Broccolini Recipes (I'm leaning towards the brown butter broccolini!)
    • our Staple Kale Salad which has dried cranberries & feta
    • one of these 7 Easy Rice Recipes or this Cauliflower Rice!

    lemon pepper chicken recipe after baking

    Recipe tips

    • I bake my chicken on a good quality sheet pan (I use these ones!)
    • I cover my chicken while it's resting with my 9 x 13 inch baking pan
    • Looking for more chicken marinade recipes? Try this Chipotle Lime Chicken Marinade, this Shortcut Jamaican Jerk Chicken Marinade or this Simple Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade.
    • You may also like this Baked Chicken Parmesan
    sliced lemon pepper chicken on wood cutting board with fresh lemon slices
    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken

    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Italian
    Calories: 229kcal
    Author: Denise Bustard
    Servings: 4
    This recipe for baked lemon pepper chicken makes a delicious dinner the whole family will enjoy. You can also use your lemon pepper chicken in meal prep! Low carb, gluten-free.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time25 mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (roughly 2 large chicken breasts)
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon thyme leaves

    Instructions

    • Toss chicken in olive oil, then in the spices.
    • (optional) Marinate for 2-24 hours.
    • Heat oven to 450°F.
    • Arrange chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Cook according to the size of the chicken breast: 

      5 oz 12-15 min
      7 oz 15-20 min
      10 oz 20-25 min
    • Remove from oven and cover with a baking dish. Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes.
    • Serve right away or save for your meal prep!

    To freeze chicken in the marinade

    • Combine all ingredients in a heavy duty freezer bag (or re-usable silicone bag). Squeeze as much air out as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw completely in the fridge before baking as instructed above.

    Notes

    This is an intensely flavored recipe that works well when mixed in with rice and vegetables. If you do not like intense flavors, cut the spice amounts in half.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 of batch | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 423mg | Potassium: 446mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @SweetPeaSaffron or tag #sweetpeasandsaffron

    About Denise Bustard

    Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more. read more

    Previous Post: « Portuguese Chicken Bake
    Next Post: Coconut Cauliflower Rice »

    Primary Sidebar

    https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/about

    Hi, I'm Denise

    Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too!

    Read more about it here!

    POPULAR

    overhead shot of 7 easy stir fry sauces on gray background

    7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes

    freezer bags labeled and filled with chicken and seven different chicken marinades

    7 Chicken Marinade Recipes You Can Freeze

    overhead shot of sweet potatoes lined up with text showing number of minutes to cook each

    PERFECT Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

    overhead shot of blue mason jar filled with crispy chickpeas

    ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

    pile or air fryer chicken breasts with one sliced

    20 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Breast

    collage image that says 33 healthy lunch ideas for work

    33 Healthy Lunch Ideas For Work

    FREE EMAIL COURSE

    Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

    Tips & strategies to get you prepping...fast!

    In Season

    overhead view of spiralized pasta with egg in bowl

    Spiralized Pasta with Egg and Asparagus

    fork taking a bite out of the lemon pepper salmon

    Lemon Pepper Salmon Sheet Pan

    overhead shot of farro arugula salad with a soft boiled egg in glass meal prep container

    Farro Arugula Salad (Meal Prep)

    Close up shot of multiple healthy rhubarb muffins

    Healthy Rhubarb Muffins

    Pile of sauteed green beans with garlic butter on gray plate

    Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic Butter

    close up shot of a bowl of instant pot carrots with honey glaze

    Instant Pot Carrots with Honey Glaze

    Footer

    logos

    · Copyright © 2012 - 2020 Sweet Peas & Saffron · Nutritional Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Comment and Copyright Policy | Implemented by WPopt