This Baked Honey Lemon Chicken recipe delivers a bright, sweet citrus flavor profile, avoiding any harsh bitterness. It is a simple, comforting dish that brings back happy memories.
Author:Eleanor Langley
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:35 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the glaze.
Place the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
Pour half of the honey lemon glaze over the chicken, turning to coat evenly.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the dish from the oven. Brush the remaining glaze over the chicken.
Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the glaze is caramelized.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for the best, non-bitter flavor.
If you prefer darker meat, use chicken thighs. They remain juicier during baking.
For extra color, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning the honey.