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Lemon Herb Chicken with Asparagus

Lemon herb chicken with asparagus in a glossy butter garlic sauce.

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A bright and flavorful one-pan meal featuring perfectly seared chicken and tender asparagus in a vibrant lemon herb butter sauce. This restaurant-quality dish is simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds)
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional for serving: fresh parsley, extra lemon slices

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and half of the fresh herbs.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side without moving until deeply golden brown. Chicken does not need to be fully cooked through. Remove to a plate.
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add asparagus in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Remove to the plate with the chicken.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom with a wooden spoon. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon zest, and the rest of the fresh herbs. Return chicken and any juices to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F).
  7. Add asparagus back to the pan just to warm through. Serve immediately, spooning sauce over everything.

Notes

The key to a golden sear is patting the chicken completely dry before cooking. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Be careful not to burn the garlic. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.

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