Lemon Garlic Chicken – Easy Sheet Pan Dinner with Potatoes and Broccoli or Simple Marinade Option

🎉 Introduction

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a bright, comforting, and incredibly versatile recipe that works beautifully as a one-pan sheet pan dinner or as a simple marinade you can use for grilling, baking, or pan-searing. Juicy chicken, zesty lemon, and fragrant garlic come together to create a meal that’s fresh, satisfying, and perfect for any night of the week.

The sheet pan version is ideal for busy evenings—everything cooks together with tender potatoes and crisp broccoli for minimal cleanup. The marinade option gives you flexibility, making this recipe a dependable go-to for meal prep or last-minute dinners.

This is clean, wholesome comfort food that never feels boring.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large sheet pan (for sheet pan version)
• Mixing bowls
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Sheet Pan Vegetables

• 1½ lbs potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

👩‍🍳 Directions

Option 1: Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Potatoes & Broccoli

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 2:
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3:
Add the chicken to the bowl and toss until fully coated.

Step 4:
In a separate bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5:
Spread the potatoes on the sheet pan in a single layer.

Step 6:
Roast the potatoes for 20 minutes.

Step 7:
Remove the pan from the oven and add the marinated chicken to the pan.

Step 8:
Return to the oven and roast for 15 minutes.

Step 9:
Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 10:
Add the broccoli to the sheet pan.

Step 11:
Roast for another 12–15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, the potatoes are tender, and the broccoli is lightly caramelized.

Step 12:
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Option 2: Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade (No Sheet Pan)

Step 1:
Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2:
Place chicken in a bowl or sealed container and pour the marinade over it.

Step 3:
Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.

Step 4:
Cook the chicken using your preferred method:

• Oven: Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 20–25 minutes
• Skillet: Cook over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side
• Grill: Grill until cooked through and lightly charred

Step 5:
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time (Sheet Pan): 45–50 minutes
• Marinade Time: 30 minutes to 24 hours

Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Freezing:

• Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months

Reheating:

• Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture
• Add a splash of water if needed

🥄 Variations

• Extra lemony: Add more zest before serving
• Spicy: Add chili flakes to the marinade
• Mediterranean style: Add olives and herbs
• Low-carb: Swap potatoes for cauliflower
• Herb-forward: Add fresh parsley after cooking

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs?
   Yes, they stay extra juicy.
2. Do I need to marinate for the sheet pan version?
   No, tossing before roasting works well.
3. Can I prep this ahead?
   Yes, marinate chicken and cut veggies in advance.
4. Is this recipe healthy?
   Yes, it’s balanced and oven-roasted.
5. Can kids eat this?
   Absolutely—mild and flavorful.
6. What potatoes work best?
   Yukon gold or baby potatoes.
7. Can I use frozen broccoli?
   Yes, but add it later and roast longer.
8. Does lemon dry out chicken?
   Not when balanced with oil.
9. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, use two sheet pans.
10. What goes well with this dish?
    Salad, rice, or enjoyed on its own.

🏁 Conclusion

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a simple, reliable recipe that delivers bright flavor, tender chicken, and effortless cooking. Whether you choose the all-in-one sheet pan dinner or the flexible marinade option, this dish fits seamlessly into any routine.

Fresh, comforting, and endlessly useful—this one’s a keeper.

Adam

Lemon Garlic Chicken – Easy Sheet Pan Dinner with Potatoes and Broccoli or Simple Marinade Option

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a bright, comforting, and incredibly versatile recipe that works beautifully as a one-pan sheet pan dinner or as a simple marinade you can use for grilling, baking, or pan-searing. Juicy chicken, zesty lemon, and fragrant garlic come together to create a meal that’s fresh, satisfying, and perfect for any night of the week. The sheet pan version is ideal for busy evenings—everything cooks together with tender potatoes and crisp broccoli for minimal cleanup. The marinade option gives you flexibility, making this recipe a dependable go-to for meal prep or last-minute dinners. This is clean, wholesome comfort food that never feels boring.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs boneless and skinless
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Sheet Pan Vegetables

• 1½ lbs potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

• Large sheet pan (for sheet pan version)
• Mixing bowls
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tongs or spatula

Method

 

Option 1: Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Potatoes & Broccoli

Step 1:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 2:

1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3:

1. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss until fully coated.

Step 4:

1. In a separate bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5:

1. Spread the potatoes on the sheet pan in a single layer.

Step 6:

1. Roast the potatoes for 20 minutes.

Step 7:

1. Remove the pan from the oven and add the marinated chicken to the pan.

Step 8:

1. Return to the oven and roast for 15 minutes.

Step 9:

1. Toss the broccoli with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 10:

1. Add the broccoli to the sheet pan.

Step 11:

1. Roast for another 12–15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, the potatoes are tender, and the broccoli is lightly caramelized.

Step 12:

1. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Option 2: Lemon Garlic Chicken Marinade (No Sheet Pan)

Step 1:

1. Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2:

1. Place chicken in a bowl or sealed container and pour the marinade over it.

Step 3:

1. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.

Step 4:

1. Cook the chicken using your preferred method:
2. Oven: Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 20–25 minutes
3. Skillet: Cook over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side
4. Grill: Grill until cooked through and lightly charred

Step 5:

1. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Storage:

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Freezing:

Freeze cooked chicken for up to 2 months

Reheating:

Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best texture

Add a splash of water if needed

🥄 Variations

Extra lemony: Add more zest before serving

Spicy: Add chili flakes to the marinade

Mediterranean style: Add olives and herbs

Low-carb: Swap potatoes for cauliflower

Herb-forward: Add fresh parsley after cooking

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, they stay extra juicy.

Do I need to marinate for the sheet pan version?
No, tossing before roasting works well.

Can I prep this ahead?
Yes, marinate chicken and cut veggies in advance.

Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, it’s balanced and oven-roasted.

Can kids eat this?
Absolutely—mild and flavorful.

What potatoes work best?
Yukon gold or baby potatoes.

Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes, but add it later and roast longer.

Does lemon dry out chicken?
Not when balanced with oil.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use two sheet pans.

What goes well with this dish?
Salad, rice, or enjoyed on its own.

🏁 Conclusion

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a simple, reliable recipe that delivers bright flavor, tender chicken, and effortless cooking. Whether you choose the all-in-one sheet pan dinner or the flexible marinade option, this dish fits seamlessly into any routine.

Fresh, comforting, and endlessly useful—this one’s a keeper.