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Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus

Sheet pan lemon chicken and asparagus is a classic dinner made quick and simple. Forget juggling different cook times and tons of dirty dishes—you can make this entire chicken dinner on a single sheet pan in the oven!

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On a busy weeknight, there’s nothing better than a sheet pan dinner! They’re hearty, easy to make, and come together quickly. This buttery and tangy lemon chicken and asparagus is no different. Earthy asparagus and juicy chicken are baked together in a lemon butter sauce to create this simple, yet hearty and satisfying dinner.

One of the best parts about my sheet pan lemon chicken and asparagus recipe is that it makes enough to feed a family! Or you can store the servings in individual containers and use this delicious zesty chicken as meal prep for the upcoming week. It’s a simple, but flavorful meal that I never get sick of!

Ingredients to Make Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus:

  • Chicken Breasts—You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier and richer dish.
  • Asparagus—Rinsed and cut in half. The thinner the better!
  • Lemons—You’ll need both freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon slices to make this sheet pan chicken.
  • Butter—Melted. Is mixed with the lemon juice and Italian seasoning to create a savory lemon sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning—A store bought blend or your own mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, and thyme.

How to Make Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a sheet pan or line with parchment paper and set aside. In a small mixing bowl combine butter, lemon juice and Italian seasoning. Then cut the asparagus in half.

Place the chicken breast and asparagus on the sheet pan then drizzle with butter mixture. Place lemon slices on top of the chicken breasts. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from the oven and serve. 

Notes & Tips

How to Serve and Store Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken and Asparagus

One of the best things about this sheet pan lemon chicken recipe is that it can be a meal in and of itself! There’s no need to cook up any extra side dishes or sauces unless you want to. If you are in the mood to put some extra effort into dinner, you can make some buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, orzo, or steamed rice to serve with your lemon chicken and asparagus.

If you have any leftover lemon chicken and asparagus, I recommend storing the meat and veggies in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When stored properly, this dish should stay fresh for up to 5 days. Reheat your chicken and asparagus in a covered baking dish at 350°F for 20 minutes. Feel free to add a splash of chicken broth or water to help keep the chicken moist as it reheats.

Recipe Variations

  • Not a big fan of chicken breast? Try swapping it out for turkey breast, pork chops, or white fish fillets. The cook time might change a bit, so keep an eye on the oven as your meat of choice bakes!
  • You can almost always find asparagus at your local grocery store, but if you’d rather make this dish with a different vegetable, feel free to! Chopped potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and green beans will also work well! 
  • Wanting to make this sheet pan lemon chicken and asparagus in the summer? Don’t heat up your house—make this meal in the air fryer instead of the oven! Use wire racks to layer the chicken and asparagus in the basket of your air fryer. Drizzle on the lemon butter sauce and cook at 350°F for 20-30 minutes. 

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • Ensure that cleanup is a breeze by buttering your sheet pan before you line it with parchment paper. This extra layer of protection keeps anything from sticking to the pan.
  • Make this dish dairy-free by swapping out the melted butter for a bit of olive oil.
  • Add more bright and juicy lemon flavor to this dish with lemon zest or lemon pepper seasoning.
  • Make sure that your chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

FAQS

What is a sheet pan meal?

Like the name implies, a sheet pan meal (like this sheet pan lemon chicken and asparagus) is an entire meal cooked on a single sheet pan. It’s like a one-pot dinner, but instead of being simmered on the stovetop, it’s baked in the oven. The best part about a sheet pan meal is that everything bakes together at the same time and temperature. All you have to do is gather your ingredients, pop them in the oven, and voila! You have a warm and hearty dinner ready to serve in just 30 minutes.

What does lemon do to chicken?

The lemon juice and slices in this baked lemon chicken add flavor, but they also help tenderize the chicken! The acid in the lemon breaks down some of the chewy connective tissue in the meat, making sure that everything stays moist and tender.

What goes well with asparagus?

My favorite flavor to pair with buttery and earthy asparagus is lemon! The bright acidity of the lemon cuts through the natural bitterness of the asparagus to create a side dish with a complex and well-rounded flavor profile. If you want to elevate your baked lemon asparagus even further, try garnishing it with any kind of crumbly cheese. I like to sprinkle on a little parmesan, asiago, cotija, or feta.

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Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken & Asparagus

Sheet pan lemon chicken and asparagus is a classic dinner made quick and simple that the whole family will love!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 bunch asparagus
  • â…“ cup butter melted
  • ¼ fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1 lemon sliced

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a sheet pan or line with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a small mixing bowl combine butter, lemon juice and Italian seasoning.
  • Cut the asparagus in half. Place the chicken breast and asparagus on the sheet pan then drizzle with butter mixture. Place lemon slices on top of the chicken breasts.
  • Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from the oven and serve.

Notes

  • Substitute green beans or green peppers for the asparagus if preferred. 
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work for this recipe. 

More Dinner Recipes:

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious!!! We have it once a week now . So easy to make . The whole family loves this meal !

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