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Best Crispy Lemon Herb Baked Chicken Breast Recipe

crispy lemon herb baked chicken breast - featured image

This recipe delivers perfectly crispy, juicy baked chicken breasts with a bright lemon herb marinade and a golden panko crust. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a simple, family-friendly dinner that feels impressive without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large lemons (zested and juiced)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Cooking spray or melted butter (for topping)
  • Fresh lemon wedges (for serving)
  • Extra fresh herbs (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
  2. Marinate the chicken: Place chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken, seal, and massage for 30 seconds. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
  3. Set up coating station: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Set up three shallow bowls: first with flour, second with beaten eggs, third with panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika mixed together.
  4. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, pat dry with paper towels. Dredge in flour, shake off excess. Dip in egg wash, let excess drip off. Press into panko mixture, coating all sides. Place on prepared wire rack.
  5. Bake: Lightly spray tops with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Rest and serve: Let chicken rest on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and extra herbs.

Notes

For best results, use a wire rack to keep the bottom crispy. Pat chicken dry after marinating to ensure coating sticks. Do not marinate longer than 4 hours or the lemon acid will make the chicken mealy. Resting for 5 minutes after baking is essential for juicy meat.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken, lemon herb chicken, baked chicken breast, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner