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Perfectly cooked melt in your mouth chicken breast served with herbs

Melt In Your Mouth Chicken

This simple, tangy chicken dish is quick to prepare and yields tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and honey.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the marinade
  • 1/4 cup olive oil Use avocado oil or light olive oil for a milder flavor if desired.
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Add lemon zest for brighter flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon honey Can swap with maple syrup or agave if needed.
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced For quicker prep, can use 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary Using fresh herbs? Use 1 tablespoon instead.
For the chicken
  • 3-4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts Use 3 for very large breasts or 4 for smaller ones.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs to create the marinade.
  2. Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish; pour marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. For best flavor, marinate up to 8 hours but not more than 24 hours.
  4. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position a rack in the center.
Cooking
  1. Lightly grease a baking dish and arrange marinated chicken breasts inside. Discard or boil leftover marinade.
  2. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  3. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating for better flavor adherence. Pound breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking. Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking. For a crispy top, broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes.