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    Home » Cook » Easy Weeknight

    Published: Apr 21, 2021 by Slow The Cook Down

    Honey Lemon Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest graphic. Honey lemon chicken with text.
    Pinterest graphic. Honey lemon chicken with text.
    Pinterest graphic. Honey lemon chicken with text.
    Pinterest graphic. Honey lemon chicken with text.

    Easy and simple to make, this chicken breast skillet recipe is perfect for a quick dinner. Made with 5 ingredients and quick to cook, this honey lemon chicken is sweet, tangy and full of flavor.

    A sliced chicken breast on a chopping board in front of two lemon halves.

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    Mix up your weeknight meals with this delicious honey lemon chicken.

    Marinated in a simple sauce, the chicken breasts are quickly cooked in a skillet for an effortless meal that's ready in minutes.

    High in protein and low in fat, it's a great dish to serve with your favorite veggie and potato sides for a well balanced meal.

    Even better, there's no long list of ingredients, just some oil, honey, lemon, garlic, salt and pepper and your chicken and you are good to go.

    Be sure to try my Honey Mustard Chicken and Lemon Oregano Chicken too for more chicken breast skillet dinners.

    How to make honey lemon chicken

    Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

    • Marinate the chicken in the honey lemon sauce.
    Tow chicken breasts being marinated in the lemon and honey sauce.
    • Cook on both sides until browned and cooked through and serve!
    Two cooked chicken breasts in a skillet with the honey lemon sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make this recipe with chicken thighs?

    Absolutley you can! This honey lemon marinade is great with thighs and tenders, and in fact works great with other protein like pork and salmon too! Just be aware that you cooking times will vary a little as thighs take a little longer to cook through.

    How long do you marinate chicken breast?

    Because this marinade contains acid, it's best not to let the chicken sit in it for more than 2 hours. The acid can break down the fibers too quickly and your chicken can be tough once cooked.

    I've found that 20 to 30 minutes is plenty of time to flavor the chicken and make it tender.

    Can you oven bake the chicken?

    I like to cook chicken breasts in a skillet on the stovetop because it's much quicker and you get a nice crust to form. You can easily bake them in the oven if you prefer though! Bake them at 450F / 200c for 15-18 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken.

    Close up of sliced honey lemon chicken breast.

    Serving Suggestions

    This chicken is great to serve with your favorite veggie and potato sides for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Try it with:

    • Rosemary Garlic Fries
    • Crispy Potato Slices
    • Sweet Potato Cakes
    • Carrot Rutabaga Mash

    Leftovers can be used cold to top salads for easy lunches.

    Reheating

    This honey lemon chicken is best served as soon as it's ready, but any leftovers will keep well for 4 days, covered in the fridge.

    The best way to reheat it is at 350F / 180c. Let the chicken breasts come to room temperature, then place them in a baking dish with a couple of tablespoons of water. Cover loosely with foil and place in the oven for 20 minutes until warmed through.

    Make sure reheated chicken is fully heated through to a temperature of 165F.

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Don't marinade the chicken for more than 2 hours.
    • For the best quality chicken, buy organic and air chilled. Buy local if that's an option for you.
    • Don't have your skillet on too high a heat or the outsides will cook before the center has.
    • Your chicken should be an even white color with no pink when sliced. Use an instant read thermometer for the best results. It should register at 160-165F.
    • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute for an extra tasty bite.
    Overhead shot of the sliced chicken breast.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Chicken Poached in Coconut Milk
    • Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Peppers
    • Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells
    • Chicken Frittata

    I love hearing from you!! If you have tried this honey lemon chicken, be sure to scroll down, give it a star rating and let me know what you thought!

    For more tasty treats, food inspiration and fun, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest – come say hi!

    Be sure to keep in touch and sign up to Slow The Cook Down to grab your free e-book ‘Stress Free Recipes Made For Sharing’

    Sliced honey lemon chicken breast on a white and wood chopping board.

    Honey Lemon Chicken

    Easy and simple to make, this chicken breast skillet recipe is perfect for a quick dinner. Made with 5 ingredients and quick to cook, this honey lemon chicken is sweet, tangy and full of flavor.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 273kcal
    Author: Slow The Cook Down

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • juice and zest of one lemons
    • 1 garlic clove (roughly chopped)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

    Instructions

    • Mix together all of the ingredients, other than the chicken breasts in a large bowl or ziplock bag.
    • Place in the chicken breast and coat them in the honey lemon mix. Let marinate covered in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
    • When ready to cook, heat a little oil in a skillet on a medium high heat. Once hot, place in the chicken breasts along with a couple of tablespoons of the honey lemon marinade.
    • Cook for around 5 to 6 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through.

    Notes

    • Don't marinade the chicken for more than 2 hours.
    • For the best quality chicken, buy organic and air chilled. Buy local if that's an option for you.
    • Don't have your skillet on too high a heat or the outsides will cook before the center has.
    • Your chicken should be an even white color with no pink when sliced. Use an instant read thermometer for the best results. It should register at 160-165F.
    • Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute for an extra tasty bite.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 424mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it today!Mention @SlowTheCookDown or tag #SlowTheCookDown!
    « Vegetable and Egg White Frittata
    Easy Chicken Breast Skillet Recipes »
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    Slow The Cook Down is all about taking life down a notch - stopping to enjoy the smell from the roast chicken you just pulled from the oven. Here, there's no reason to hurry or stress; dinner will get done, and it will be delicious! Pour a glass of wine and settle in to try something new.

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