Perfectly Balanced Gluten-Free Lemon Garlic Chicken

This delicious and healthy recipe for perfectly balanced gluten-free lemon garlic chicken is a fantastic choice if you're looking to prepare a meal that satisfies all your taste buds while keeping the ingredients simple and familiar.

The dish takes less than 30 minutes to cook, which makes it an ideal weeknight dinner option. You can serve this with steamed vegetables or a side of quinoa for a complete and nutritious meal. Let's dive into how you can prepare this tasty gluten-free lemon garlic chicken.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 lemons: one for juice and one for zest
2 teaspoons gluten-free lemon pepper seasoning or any preferred seasoning mix
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps in achieving a crispy texture when cooked.
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and gluten-free lemon pepper seasoning. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Place the chicken breasts into a baking dish that has been lightly greased or covered with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Using a pastry brush or your hands, generously coat each side of the chicken breasts with the lemon garlic mixture. This will give you an evenly distributed flavor.
Lay the sliced lemons on top of the chicken to add additional flavor and aroma.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast to check this.
While the chicken is baking, you can prepare your side dishes like steamed green beans or quinoa.
Serve hot with additional parsley sprinkled on top for extra freshness.

Tips and Variations

For a little extra zing, add some sliced red pepper or diced onions to the chicken breasts before cooking. This adds color as well as flavor complexity.
If you prefer more of a tangy finish, consider adding capers or chopped caper berries near the end of your baking time to boost acidity and pungency.
Another variation would be to add some fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to enhance the overall bouquet of the dish. You can tuck these under the chicken breasts during preparation.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Each serving contains about:

350 calories
19 grams of protein
18 grams of fat (6 grams of which are saturated fats)
280 milligrams sodium
40% daily value of Vitamin C from the lemons and 10% of your daily requirement for iron.

Conclusion

The Perfectly Balanced Gluten-Free Lemon Garlic Chicken is not just a meal but an experience. The combination of fresh ingredients like lemon, garlic, and herbs creates a symphony of flavors that make every bite exciting. Whether you're entertaining guests or having a family dinner, this dish will surely be a hit.

Cooking time: Approximately 25-30 minutes

Number of servings: 4