Description
This Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Sheet Pan Dinner is a bright and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are marinated in a zesty lemon and herb sauce, then roasted alongside fresh asparagus for a balanced plate with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 pieces)
- 2 tsp Herbs de Provence
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 2 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables and Garnish
- 1.5 pounds asparagus (1 bunch)
- 1 lemon (cut into thin slices)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet and set aside for now.
- Make Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together Herbs de Provence, minced garlic, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
- Marinate Chicken and Start Cooking: Pour half of the marinade mixture over the chicken breasts, coating them well. Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the chicken is almost cooked through.
- Prepare Asparagus: Toss the asparagus with the remaining half of the marinade and set aside.
- Broil Setup: Remove the chicken from the oven once it is nearly done. Switch your oven to the broil setting on low.
- Add Asparagus and Lemon Slices: Arrange the marinated asparagus around the edges of the baking sheet. Pour any leftover marinade from the asparagus over the pan. Add lemon slices scattered around the chicken and asparagus to infuse extra lemon flavor.
- Broil to Finish: Broil the chicken and asparagus for about 10 minutes, until the asparagus is crisp tender and the chicken is golden brown on the outside and no longer pink inside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately for a fresh, bright, and healthy meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 2 hours before cooking.
- If asparagus stalks are thick, peel the lower part to ensure tender cooking.
- Honey can be swapped with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile or for vegan variation.
- Broil on low to prevent burning and allow even cooking of both chicken and asparagus.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF for safe consumption.
