Garlic Herb Chicken with Asparagus (Printable)
Herb-crusted chicken breasts oven-roasted with tender asparagus and a splash of fresh lemon for a bright, healthy dinner.
# List of ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 oz each)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
09 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Asparagus
10 - 1 bunch asparagus (about 1.1 lb), ends trimmed
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ To Finish
14 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
02 - In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Mix until a fragrant paste forms.
03 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub the herb mixture evenly over all sides of each breast, ensuring full coverage.
04 - Place the seasoned chicken breasts on one half of the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow proper air circulation.
05 - Lay the trimmed asparagus on the other half of the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to coat.
06 - Roast in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the asparagus is tender with lightly browned tips.
07 - Transfer the chicken and asparagus to serving plates. Squeeze fresh lemon wedges over the top and garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks on one sheet pan, which means cleanup is almost embarrassingly easy.
- The herb paste works as a quick marinade, so you get deep flavor without planning ahead.
- It is naturally gluten free and low carb without tasting like anything is missing.
02 -
- Do not skip drying the chicken before applying the herb paste because moisture creates a barrier that prevents the seasonings from adhering properly.
- If you have time, let the coated chicken sit for 30 minutes at room temperature before roasting and the flavor penetration is noticeably better.
03 -
- Zest the lemon before juicing it for the wedges because a whole zested lemon still squeezes perfectly fine and you waste nothing.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway through roasting if your oven has hot spots, this simple move prevents one side from overbrowning.