One-Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken: Effortless Flavor Explosion!

This One-Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe is a weeknight dinner dream come true! Imagine juicy, tender chicken breasts coated in a bright and flavorful lemon garlic sauce, baked to golden perfection alongside perfectly roasted vegetables – all in a single pan. Cleanup is a breeze, and the taste is absolutely divine. This dish is bursting with fresh flavors and is guaranteed to become a family favorite.

## Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Chicken Recipe

* **Easy Cleanup:** The biggest perk is the single-pan convenience. Less time washing dishes, more time enjoying your delicious meal!
* **Minimal Effort:** This recipe requires minimal prep work. Simply toss the chicken and vegetables with the sauce, and bake.
* **Incredible Flavor:** The combination of lemon, garlic, parmesan, and herbs creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
* **Customizable:** Easily swap out the vegetables to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
* **Healthy and Delicious:** Packed with protein and fresh vegetables, this recipe is both healthy and satisfying.
* **Perfect for Weeknights:** Ready in under an hour, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy dinner solution.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Chicken Breasts:** Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star of the show. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
* **Vegetables:** We’re using a mix of broccoli florets, carrots, and red potatoes in this recipe. Feel free to substitute with your favorite vegetables, such as asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts.
* **Olive Oil:** Extra virgin olive oil is used to coat the chicken and vegetables and helps them roast evenly.
* **Lemon:** Fresh lemon juice and zest add a bright and zesty flavor to the dish.
* **Garlic:** Minced garlic provides a pungent and aromatic flavor.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory, and cheesy element to the dish.
* **Italian Seasoning:** A blend of dried herbs that adds depth of flavor.
* **Paprika:** Adds a touch of color and subtle smoky flavor.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste, of course!
* **Optional Garnishes:** Fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra Parmesan cheese for serving.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own One-Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken masterpiece:

### 1. Prepare the Chicken

* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
* If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness (about ½ inch) using a meat mallet. This ensures they cook evenly.
* In a large bowl, combine the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and half of the Italian seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.

### 2. Prepare the Vegetables

* Wash and chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Ensure the potato pieces are smaller than the broccoli and carrot pieces as they take longer to cook.
* In the same bowl (no need to wash it!), combine the vegetables with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and the remaining Italian seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.

### 3. Make the Lemon Garlic Parmesan Sauce

* In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.

### 4. Assemble the One-Pan Dish

* Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet or roasting pan.
* Place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables.
* Drizzle the lemon garlic Parmesan sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables.

### 5. Bake the Chicken and Vegetables

* Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

### 6. Broil for Extra Color (Optional)

* For a golden-brown finish, broil the chicken and vegetables for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.

### 7. Serve and Enjoy!

* Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
* Garnish with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips for the Best One-Pan Chicken

* **Don’t overcrowd the pan:** Make sure the chicken and vegetables are spread in a single layer to ensure even cooking. If necessary, use two baking sheets.
* **Pound the chicken:** Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook more quickly and evenly.
* **Use fresh ingredients:** Fresh lemon juice and zest, garlic, and herbs will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish.
* **Adjust cooking time:** Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the size of the vegetable pieces. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
* **Add a splash of white wine:** For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of dry white wine to the lemon garlic Parmesan sauce.
* **Get creative with vegetables:** Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, such as asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, or Brussels sprouts.
* **Marinate the chicken:** For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in the lemon garlic Parmesan sauce for at least 30 minutes before baking.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Chicken Thighs:** Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
* **Different Vegetables:** Use any combination of vegetables you like, such as asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, green beans, or sweet potatoes.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
* **Herbs:** Use different herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or oregano, in place of or in addition to the Italian seasoning.
* **Cheese:** Try using a different type of cheese, such as mozzarella, provolone, or Asiago.
* **Lemon Herb Marinade:** Substitute the Lemon Garlic Parmesan sauce with your favorite lemon herb marinade.

## Serving Suggestions

This One-Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with:

* **Rice:** Fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
* **Pasta:** A simple pasta dish, such as spaghetti with olive oil and garlic.
* **Salad:** A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.
* **Crusty Bread:** For soaking up the delicious sauce.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

* You can prepare the vegetables and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
* When ready to bake, simply assemble the dish and bake as directed.

## Storage Instructions

* Store leftover chicken and vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

## Recipe Card

**One-Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken**

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 4-6

**Ingredients:**

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
* 1 pound broccoli florets
* 1 cup carrots, chopped
* 1 pound red potatoes, chopped
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* ¼ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
* 2 tablespoons lemon zest
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
* ½ teaspoon paprika
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
* Red pepper flakes (for garnish, optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. If chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness (about ½ inch) using a meat mallet. In a large bowl, combine the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and half of the Italian seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
3. Wash and chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. In the same bowl, combine the vegetables with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and the remaining Italian seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet or roasting pan. Place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetables. Drizzle the lemon garlic Parmesan sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
7. For a golden-brown finish, broil the chicken and vegetables for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
8. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Nutrition Information (Approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 40-50g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g

Enjoy this flavorful and easy One-Pan Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken! It’s a perfect weeknight meal that the whole family will love.