Fast and Simple Lemon Hen

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

Why Our Recipe

• Our 30-minute marinade is each fast and scrumptious!
• Made with easy substances you probably have already got readily available.
• Goes with nearly every little thing, so that you don’t should stress concerning the sides!

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

Ingredient Notes

• Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts: Select evenly sized breasts for constant cooking. You may as well use boneless skinless hen 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 certain is handy.
• Additional 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 straightforward as potential.

Marinating Occasions

For this recipe, half-hour is all it’s essential to pack in loads of contemporary, zesty taste. It’s excellent for these busy weeknights when time isn’t in your aspect. You probably have extra time, although, you possibly can let the hen absorb 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 hen mushy due to the acid within the lemon juice.

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

Freezer Possibility

Right here’s a bit of kitchen hack: freeze your hen proper within the marinade! It marinates whereas it thaws—how straightforward is that? Simply pop your hen and marinade right into a freezer-safe bag, press out as a lot air as you possibly can, and freeze it.

If 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 hen items, thawing may take a couple of hours or in a single day.

Make it a Meal

Serve with Grains: Pair lemon hen with a aspect of fluffy rice, quinoa, or couscous.

Add Greens: Roasted or steamed greens complement the zesty hen nicely. Think about choices like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or costume up frozen vegetables for a fast and simple 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.

Embody 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 hen.

Pair with Pasta: Lemon hen goes nicely with a simple pasta for a hearty and filling meal.