Description

This 5 Ingredient Lemon Chicken with Asparagus is a quick, easy, and flavorful one-pan recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are lightly coated and sautéed with a zesty lemon pepper seasoning, then paired with bright, tender-crisp asparagus and caramelized lemon slices. The optional addition of honey and butter adds a subtle sweetness and richness, making this dish a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

Vegetables and Citrus

1–2 cups chopped asparagus
2 lemons, sliced

Optional Ingredients

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons butter
Parsley for topping

Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and pound each piece to about 3/4 inch thick. If the breasts are very thick, slice them horizontally to create thinner pieces instead. In a shallow dish, mix the flour and salt and pepper. Coat each chicken breast evenly in the flour mixture.
Sauté the chicken: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning on each side while cooking. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate.
Cook the asparagus: Add chopped asparagus to the skillet and sauté for a few minutes until bright green and tender crisp. Remove the asparagus from the pan and set it aside.
Caramelize the lemon slices: Lay the lemon slices flat on the bottom of the skillet. Cook without stirring for a few minutes on each side so they caramelize and pick up the flavorful browned bits from the pan. Adding a small pat of butter can help prevent sticking and encourage browning. Remove the lemons and set aside.
Optional assembly: If using, add 2 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons butter back to the skillet and gently heat to create a glaze. Return chicken, asparagus, and lemon slices to the pan to warm through and evenly coat with the glaze. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

To save time, slice thick chicken breasts horizontally instead of pounding them.
Adding a small pat of butter when caramelizing lemons prevents sticking and enhances flavor.
The optional honey and butter glaze adds sweetness and richness, but the dish is delicious without it.
Use fresh lemon slices for best flavor and texture.
Parsley garnish is optional but adds fresh color and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: lemon chicken, asparagus recipe, quick dinner, one pan meal, easy chicken recipe, lemon pepper chicken