Lemon thyme chicken is a simple dish that you can enjoy any night of the week. Made with chicken breast meat, lemons, and fresh thyme.
This chicken recipe turns out tender, juicy, and flavorful with the fresh lemon and thyme that are added to the skillet while it cooks.
I like to serve this chicken with rice, but it can be served with pasta or a side salad.
Helpful tips
- I like using chicken breast tenders because they cook fast. But you can substitute chicken breast in place of the tenders. If using full breasts, I would recommend that you cut them lengthwise in half or pound them to reduce cooking time.
- Use fresh thyme, lemon, and garlic for a more flavorful dish.
- Remove the sprigs of thyme before serving.
- Serve over rice or pasta. It can also be served with fresh fruit, vegetables, or green salad.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat, use the microwave to heat, or if using a skillet to reheat, add some chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken and heat on medium-low heat until it is heated through.
Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders – Chicken breast can be used instead of tenders.
- Salt and Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Butter – Salted butter is used for this recipe.
- Fresh Thyme – It can be bought at the grocery store in the fruit and vegetable section.
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth – Low sodium is for a healthier dish.
- Lemon Slices – One large lemon is used.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon is used for the best results.
Steps for making this lemon thyme chicken recipe
Steps one and two
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter and olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat.
Steps three, four, and five
Cook the chicken until it is brown and no longer pink in the center. Remove the chicken from the skillet and add the broth, lemon juice, lemon slices, garlic, and thyme. Once the liquid is reduced, add the chicken back and heat.
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Lemon Thyme Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large lemon sliced
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and butter to a large skillet. Heat over medium heat.
- Season the top of the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 6 minutes until the underside is golden brown.
- Flip the chicken and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
- Add the garlic, thyme, lemon slices, lemon juice, and chicken broth. Cook until the liquid is reduced by 1/3 to 1/2 about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken back in to the pan and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until the chicken is heated. Serve with your favorite pasta or rice.
Notes
- I like using chicken tenders for this dish because they cook up quickly. Chicken breast can be used in place of the tenders, but if using breast, cut them in half lengthwise or pound them to make them thinner for faster cooking.
- Use fresh thyme, lemon, and garlic for the best results. Fresh thyme can be found in the fruit and vegetable area of the grocery store.
- Remove the sprigs of thyme from the chicken before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat leftovers, the microwave can be used or a skillet on medium-low heat.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on June 5, 2017. It was updated with new content and pictures on May 8, 2025.
Those chicken tenders are so perfectly prepared…lemon and thyme…a great combo!
Lucky you to be able to grow herbs! I can’t get anything but weeds and cacti to grow :). Summer is definitely my favorite time of year too. I love the sun and all the gorgeous produce. This chicken sounds fabulous!
Sounds good and looks delicious! Good luck with your garden! Too much shade here now for one, plus rabbits, coyotes and deer, etc. They like to eat a lot!
Love thyme! We’re growing some, too. It works so nicely with chicken, doesn’t it? Terrific dish — thanks.
Lemon + thyme is such a great summer combination of flavors! Good luck with that herb garden…I totally understand the troubles that come when the rabbits find the garden.
Chicken looks perfectly cooked! It’s definitely a no-fail recipe!
This recipe is simple to make and is full of flavor. The chicken turns out tender and a little tangy from the lemons.