Bright Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus, 30 Min

Oh, this Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus? It’s seriously a keeper! Imagine a dish so bright and full of flavor, it feels like you’re dining at a little bistro in the South of France, but guess what? You can whip it up in your own kitchen on a busy weeknight. That’s the magic of this recipe – it’s restaurant-quality, bursting with freshness, and ridiculously easy to make. It perfectly balances that little bit of indulgence with vibrant, healthy ingredients, kind of like how I discovered it. I was staying with a family in Provence, and every meal was just bursting with fresh herbs and citrus. Adapting that sunny feeling for keto, using creamy butter and crisp asparagus, brought that vacation vibe right into my home kitchen. It makes dinner feel like a little escape!

By Isabella Moore, International Keto Cuisine Explorer. Want to know more about my adventures? Check out my story here.

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

Seriously, this dish is a winner for so many reasons!

• It’s a breeze to make: This is the ultimate low effort meal, thanks to the one pan chicken magic, meaning way less cleanup – hooray!
• Incredible flavor boost: You get that gorgeous Mediterranean sunshine in every bite with a super bright, zesty flavor profile.
• So veggie-packed and keto-friendly: It’s loaded with fresh asparagus for a truly satisfying veggie packed dinner that fits perfectly into a keto lifestyle.
• Super speedy: We’re talking about a delicious dinner ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for when you’re craving something amazing but short on time.

Ingredients for Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

Alright, gathering your ingredients is the first step to making some kitchen magic happen! Here’s what you’ll need to pull together this gorgeous Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, washed and ends trimmed
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon dried Herbes de Provence (or just your favorite Italian seasoning mix!)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons butter, cubed
• Grated Parmesan cheese, optional, for dusting

That’s it! See? Already looks pretty simple, doesn’t it?

Essential Equipment for Making Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

To get this amazing Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus on your table without a hitch, you just need a couple of key players. First up, you’ll want a good old baking sheet. It’s your stage for this whole show, letting everything roast up beautifully together. And to make sure your chicken is perfectly cooked and super juicy, a meat thermometer is a total lifesaver. It takes the guesswork out and ensures you’ve hit that perfect 165°F!

How to Prepare Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus: Step-by-Step

Okay, getting this delicious Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus ready is super straightforward. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. Trust me, even if you’re new to cooking, you can totally nail this one!

First things first, let’s get that oven fired up. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). While that’s heating, grab a sturdy baking sheet and line it with heavy-duty aluminum foil. This not only makes cleanup a dream but also helps everything roast up nicely.

Now, pour your olive oil right onto the foil-lined baking sheet. Then, toss your chicken pieces and the trimmed asparagus right onto the oiled surface. Make sure everything gets a nice little coating of that oil. Next, time to season! Sprinkle everything generously with your sea salt, the lovely Herbes de Provence (or Italian seasoning), pepper, and garlic powder. Don’t be shy!

Next, artfully arrange those lemon slices right over the chicken and asparagus. They’ll roast and get all sweet and delicious. Pop that baking sheet into the preheated oven and let it work its magic for about 15 minutes. Once that timer dings, carefully pull the sheet out. Dot those beautiful chicken pieces and asparagus spears with your cubed butter. Pop it back in for another 5 minutes. You’re looking for the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) when you check it with a meat thermometer. That’s the golden ticket to perfectly cooked, juicy chicken!

And just like that, you’re done! Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. If you’re using it, give it a final sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve this gorgeous Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus right away. For more sheet pan inspiration, you can check this out!

Tips for Perfect Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

Okay, so you’ve prepped your gorgeous sheet pan dinner, but want to make sure it turns out absolutely *perfect* every single time? I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years that really make this Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus sing!

First, when you’re choosing your asparagus, look for spears that are firm and bright green, not limp. The ends should snap off easily. This ensures they’re perfectly tender, not stringy. And for the chicken, make sure those pieces are roughly the same thickness. This helps them cook evenly so you don’t end up with dry chicken while the asparagus is still a bit too firm, or vice-versa. Always, always trust your meat thermometer – it’s the best way to guarantee juicy chicken!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Lemon Butter Chicken

We all love a good substitution, right? So, let’s chat about a couple of things in this Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus that you might need to swap out or just want to know more about!

That beautiful Herbes de Provence? It’s this amazing mix of savory, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. If you don’t have it handy, no worries! A good quality Italian seasoning blend works like a charm. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, just grab some dried rosemary and thyme and mix them together. For the lemon, using fresh slices is key for that lovely burst of citrus as it roasts, but if you’re in a pinch, a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the end can work too, though it won’t give you those gorgeous roasted bits!

Serving Suggestions for Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

This Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus is so fantastic on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a few other things to make it a full, lovely meal. Since it’s already a complete powerhouse of protein and veggies, you might want to keep it simple. Some fluffy cauliflower rice is always a winner if you want something a bit more substantial, or even just a big, fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette. For more ideas on delicious keto dishes, take a peek at my recipe collection!

Storing and Reheating Your Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

Got some delicious Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus leftovers? Lucky you! To keep it tasting great, pop it into an airtight container once it’s cooled down a bit. It should stay yummy in the fridge for about 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is in a low oven or even a skillet over medium-low heat. This helps everything warm through gently without getting mushy, keeping that lovely texture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

Got questions about whipping up this amazing Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus? I’ve got you covered! It’s such a popular dish, and people often ask me a few things:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! If you prefer chicken thighs, they work wonderfully. Just know they might take a few extra minutes to cook through, so definitely keep that meat thermometer handy to ensure they reach 165°F (74°C).

What if I don’t have asparagus?

No worries! This recipe is super adaptable. If asparagus isn’t your thing, you could totally swap it out for broccoli florets or green beans. Just make sure they’re cut to a similar size so they cook evenly with the chicken.

How do I keep the chicken from drying out?

The trick is not to overcook it! Using a meat thermometer is your best friend here. Aim for that 165°F (74°C) internal temperature and pull it out right away. The butter and lemon also help keep it moist, so don’t skip those!

Is this recipe truly low-carb?

Yes, this is a fantastic veggie packed dinner that’s naturally low in carbs. The chicken, asparagus, olive oil, and butter are all keto-friendly. Just be mindful of any added Parmesan cheese, though it’s usually minimal in terms of carbs!

Have more questions? Feel free to reach out – I love hearing from you!

Nutritional Estimate for Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus

Alright, let’s talk about the numbers for this delicious Lemon Butter Chicken With Asparagus! Keep in mind these are just estimates, as things can change a little depending on the exact size of your chicken breasts or how much butter you really use (no judgment here!).

Per serving, you’re generally looking at around 160 calories, with about 13g of protein, a mere 4g of carbohydrates, and around 10g of fat. It’s a fantastic option for a satisfying and healthy keto meal!