Description
Indulge in the delightful flavors of this chicken and asparagus dish, where tender chicken breasts meet vibrant asparagus in a simple yet elegant meal. With a medley of savory garlic, zesty lemon, and a hint of smoked paprika, this recipe is perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy family dinner. Ready in under an hour, it’s both quick to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 lb fresh asparagus
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Fresh herbs (parsley or thyme) for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and trim the tough ends off the asparagus.
- In a large mixing bowl, drizzle olive oil over the chicken and asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and minced garlic; toss gently to coat.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Nestle the asparagus around the chicken in the skillet, squeeze lemon juice over everything, and transfer to the oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with asparagus (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: For added flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Feel free to substitute asparagus with broccoli or add sun-dried tomatoes for variety.