Lemon Pepper Chicken (2024)

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Frances
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Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and full of amazing flavor! This crispy lemon pepper chicken is sure to become a family favorite in no time!

This crispy lemon pepper chicken is flavorful without being overly peppery. It has an amazing lemon flavor but is NOT sweet. It goes great with just about anything like my Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot Rice Pilaf, Easy Butter Garlic Noodles, or Better Than Takeout Chow Mein!

Lemon Pepper Chicken (1)

Crispy and Delicious

I’ve made it my goal this year to simplify our family meals. This crispy lemon pepper chicken is just that-simple but delicious!!

Crispy lemon pepper chicken has been a favorite of ours for a little over a year now. It’s something my kids are always asking me to make and they devour every last bite. We’re all a little obsessed with the crispy breading, tender inside and flavor all around.

You’ll need three lemons, two chicken breasts (or 4 cutlets), good quality olive oil, panko breadcrumbs, and a few seasonings and spices. Let’s get started!

Lemon Pepper Chicken (2)

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken

First, decide what cut of chicken you are going to use, breasts, cutlets, tender, thighs, wings etc. I prefer chicken breast/cutlet (Achicken cutletis simply achicken breast that has been cut in half and pounded to an even thickness). They cook faster than a thick chicken thigh and I love the thinness of the cutlet!

To make a chicken cutlet take your regular chicken breast, place it on a cutting board and then cover it with a piece of plastic wrap. Take a meat mallet, or the side of a can, and pound the chicken until it is at an even thickness.

I don’t marinate the chicken for this recipe. The breading for this recipe is where you will get all of your flavors. We will make a homemade lemon pepper seasoning with lemon zest olive oil and a seasoned panko breading!

Let’s get cooking this Lemon Pepper Chicken!

  • You’ll start by coating the chicken in the lemon zest oil, then breading it in the mixture of flour/panko/seasoning.
  • In a large skillet with a few tablespoons of olive oil in it, you’ll fry the chicken until it’s nice and crisp on both sides AND reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
  • It’s important to remove the chicken from the skillet right away and to place it on a cooling rack for a minute or two before you plan on serving it.
  • Do not let it sit for more than 5 minutes (before serving it) or you’ll start to lose crispness. In our house, that’s never an issue because it gets inhaled before anything else. ☺️

Lemon Pepper Chicken (3)

Lemon Pepper Chicken Storing and Side Ideas

If you have leftovers, let the lemon pepper chicken cool completely before placing it in the fridge. Rather than keeping it in an airtight container place the chicken on a plate and cover it with a piece of foil.

The trick to reheating this lemon pepper chicken is trying to keep the breading nice and crispy! To reheat and keep it crispy bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes while covered with a piece of foil.

Delicious side dishes:

  • Roasted Spring Vegetables
  • Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole
  • Instant Pot Quinoa Pilaf
  • Perfect Couscous

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!

For more chicken recipes, check out:

  • Chimichurri Chicken
  • How to Perfectly Cook a Chicken Breast
  • Chili Lime Chicken Tacos
  • Sweet And Sour Chicken

Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

Lemon Pepper Chicken (4)

Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Step into a world of zesty delight with our Lemon Pepper Chicken! In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a dish that's a delightful mix of sharp lemon tang and a spicy pepper kick, sure to become a family favorite in no time!

4.83 from 85 votes

Pin Rate Save

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Dairy Free

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 cutlets

Calories: 531kcal

Author: Andrea

Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the Lemon Oil

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • zest of 3 lemons

For the Breading

  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp paprika

For the Chicken

  • 4 chicken breast cutlets - or 2 breasts cut in half
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lemon - cut into 1/4-inch thick slices

Instructions

  • In a small bowl or rectangular dish, combine the olive oil and lemon zest. Set aside.

  • In a small bowl or rectangular dish, combine the flour, bread crumbs, pepper, garlic powder, salt, parsley, and paprika. Set aside.

  • Set a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the remaining olive oil.

  • Take each chicken cutlet and dip both sides in the olive oil mixture, then in the breading. Place onto a plate or piece of aluminum foil. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.

  • Place the cutlets into the pan and cook on one side for 5-6 minutes before flipping. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Place the lemon slices in the pan and continue cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).

  • Remove from the skillet and place on a cooling rack. Let rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

VIDEO

NOTES

- The chicken must be thin to be cooked thoroughly in a timely manner. If the chicken is not thin enough, the breading will begin to burn.

- Do not add the lemon slices until the last 5 minutes of cooking time, or they will end up burnt as well. Timing is everything!

- For crisp chicken, serve immediately.

To STORE leftovers, let the lemon pepper chicken cool completely before placing it in the fridge. Rather than keeping it in an airtight container, place the chicken on a plate and cover it with a piece of foil.

To REHEAT and keep the breading nice and crispy, bake it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 204 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes while covered with a piece of foil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 531kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 874mg | Potassium: 936mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 142IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

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Frances

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Comments:

  1. Lemon Pepper Chicken (8)
    Delish, so flavorful!

    Reply

  2. Lemon Pepper Chicken (9)
    This chicken was simple to make and surprised me with how delicious it tasted. A total hit with the entire family! I am not one to rate recipes, but this one deserved it. We aren’t big parsley fans so left that out, and used boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts. Paired nicely with roasted cauliflower. Yumm!

    Reply

  3. Lemon Pepper Chicken (10)
    June1,2023 Was excellent will be my stand by chicken recipe!

    Reply

  4. Lemon Pepper Chicken (11)
    My favorite recipe I’ve found on Pinterest

    Reply

    1. Hi Morgan, so glad you love it!

      Reply

  5. Lemon Pepper Chicken (12)
    My family really enjoyed this recipe very delicious and easy to make with simple ingredients

    Reply

Lemon Pepper Chicken (2024)

FAQs

What is lemon pepper seasoning made of? ›

Lemon zest: Dried lemon zest is the key ingredient and adds all the zesty, tangy flavor. Lime zest would also work. Black pepper: Ideally you want to use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor. Kosher salt: Kosher salt or sea salt works best.

Why put lemon juice on raw chicken? ›

Many marinades use vinegar as an acid substitute but lemon juice is more effective as it lends a citric flavor. Depending on how tender you want the chicken to be, and how zingy you want it to be, use anywhere from 1 tablespoon to ¼ cup lemon juice for marinades.

Why is lemon pepper seasoning so good? ›

Lemon pepper is made from finely ground lemon zest and freshly cracked black pepper. The bright flavor of the lemon zest and the heat of the black pepper blend together to create a unique and delicious flavor that is sure to add a flavorful punch to any dish.

Can I use lemon juice and pepper instead of lemon pepper seasoning? ›

If you're really in a pinch and don't have time to run to the store or make this easy recipe, I do have a substitute trick! You can simply use a bit of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt. It's not exactly the same as my seasoning but it does feature some of the same flavors.

Is lemon pepper good or bad for you? ›

Lemon zest is high in vitamin C and fiber, which helps to maintain a healthy digestive system. Lemon pepper seasoning is also a zero-calorie seasoning and can be found with little to no sodium, making it an ideal spice blend for heart-healthy diets.

What's the difference between lemon pepper and lemon pepper seasoning? ›

What is the difference between lemon pepper and lemon pepper seasoning? Lemon pepper is exactly what it sounds like. The spice stays true to its name and combines lemon zest with cracked black peppercorns. However, lemon pepper seasoning typically includes salt and other spices.

How long can chicken be marinated in lemon juice? ›

Marinating time: Due to the acidic nature of the lemon juice, we recommend marinating chicken for no longer than 6 hours. If you're marinating fish, 30 minutes or less is adequate. To turn into a salad dressing: Increase the olive oil to 1/4 cup and whisk until blended.

Does lemon juice dry out chicken breast? ›

A healthy dose of lemon juice keeps chicken breasts from drying out in the oven. Chicken breasts are a cook's conundrum. At their best, they're moist and tender, but too often, sadly, they end up dry and rubbery. The key to cooking success is understanding how to choose and handle the meat.

Do you put lemon juice on chicken before or after cooking? ›

Method
  1. Marinate chicken: Place lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large, non-reactive bowl, whisk to combine. ...
  2. Place chicken in baking dish, brush with butter: Preheat the oven to 425°F. ...
  3. Bake and baste with marinade: ...
  4. Let the chicken rest: ...
  5. Save meat juices to serve with chicken:

Does lemon pepper seasoning go bad? ›

Lawry's® Lemon Pepper Seasoning has a shelf life of 540 days when tightly closed and stored in a cool, dry place, to protect against flavor loss and moisture. Avoid exposure to heat, humidity, direct sunlight and fluorescent light to maintain flavor and color.

Is lemon pepper anti inflammatory? ›

Lemon pepper contains a variety of secondary metabolites such as phenols, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and steroids. Limonene in lemon pepper is known to have antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activity [4].

When to use lemon pepper seasoning? ›

The real magic, though, happens when you use lemon pepper to round out your recipes with a subtle punch of brightness. This trick works well in a dish that is desperate for a little acidity — some roasted vegetables that are a little too salty or a pan sauce that's a little too bland.

Did Trader Joe's discontinue lemon pepper? ›

The demand for Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper seasoning blend was consistently high before its discontinuation. 2. Many loyal customers have expressed their disappointment on various social media platforms.

How do you keep lemon pepper seasoning from clumping? ›

Store spices in an area that's cool, dark and dry. The ideal location is in an area away from refrigeration units, steam and cooking elements. In a restaurant, for example, do not keep spices on a shelf above a grill or sink.

Can you mix cayenne pepper with lemon juice? ›

Lemon and cayenne pepper drinks have recently been promoted as a type of 'detox', and 'fat burning' drink that can easily be consumed before breakfast. It claims to that 'kickstart your metabolism' and help you lose weight.

What are the ingredients in Badia lemon pepper seasoning? ›

This all–natural Lemon Pepper seasoning is made from the highest–quality ingredients, including lemon peel, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder. With its mild heat and intense flavor, it's perfect for seasoning fish, chicken, vegetables, salads, soups, and more.

What is the origin of the lemon pepper flavor? ›

The Origins of Lemon Pepper

According to Spiceography (a website very much worth a deep dive), lemon pepper seasoning likely originated in India, as a result of its native lemons and black peppercorns. It is commonly found in Indian cuisine, as well as a spice for salmon and other seafoods.

Is lemon pepper seasoning anti inflammatory? ›

Lemon pepper or andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium) and black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) are rich in bioactive compounds that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

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