Fast and Simple Lemon Hen

That is a type of fast and straightforward weeknight meals that you simply’ll wish to hold endlessly—even choosy eaters prefer it! Meals like this are what we grew up on, and we nonetheless like it simply as a lot as we did a long time in the past. In the event you’re bored with combating along with your youngsters to complete their dinner, that is the recipe for you. And as a bonus, you’ll like it too!

With a marinade constructed from contemporary lemon juice, herbs, and pantry staples, this dish comes collectively shortly. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a weeknight dinner or a meal to impress, this recipe has you lined for each. It additionally pairs effectively with nearly any facet—assume roasted veggies, steamed rice, or a easy inexperienced salad.

Ingredient Notes

• Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts: Select evenly sized breasts for constant cooking. You too can use boneless skinless rooster thighs, they’ll simply take longer to cook dinner.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice goes to provide the finest taste, however bottled lemon juice works too and it positive is handy.
• Further Virgin Olive Oil: Common olive oil works in addition to different neutral-flavored oils.
• Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper is a mixture of black pepper, lemon zest, and a pinch of garlic powder.
• Dried Basil and Oregano: We’re holding it easy with dried herbs to make this dish as simple as attainable.

Marinating Occasions

For this recipe, half-hour is all you have to pack in loads of contemporary, zesty taste. It’s excellent for these busy weeknights when time isn’t in your facet. When you’ve got extra time, although, you’ll be able to let the rooster take in the marinade for as much as 8 hours.

Don’t go overboard. Marinating for too lengthy—particularly greater than 12 hours—can truly make the rooster mushy due to the acid within the lemon juice.

A fast 15-minute marinade will nonetheless offer you a little bit increase of taste. Simply toss the rooster within the marinade when you prep your sides, and also you’re good to go!

Freezer Possibility

Right here’s a little bit kitchen hack: freeze your rooster proper within the marinade! It marinates whereas it thaws—how simple is that? Simply pop your rooster and marinade right into a freezer-safe bag, press out as a lot air as you’ll be able to, and freeze it.

Once you’re able to cook dinner, thaw it within the fridge. This retains issues food-safe and offers the marinade loads of time to work its magic. Relying on the dimensions of your rooster items, thawing would possibly take just a few hours or in a single day.

Make it a Meal

Serve with Grains: Pair lemon rooster with a facet of fluffy rice, quinoa, or couscous.

Add Greens: Roasted or steamed greens complement the zesty rooster effectively. Contemplate choices like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or costume up frozen vegetables for a fast and straightforward possibility.

High a Salad: A contemporary salad, whether or not it’s a easy green salad, a Caeser salad, or a extra elaborate Greek salad, provides a refreshing component to the meal.

Embrace a Starch: For a heartier meal, add a starch like roasted or mashed potatoes, or perhaps a slice of crusty bread to absorb the scrumptious juices from the rooster.

Pair with Pasta: Lemon rooster goes effectively with a simple pasta for a hearty and filling meal.