Paleo Lemon Dill Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender chicken baked with fresh lemon, dill, and garlic for a zesty, juicy main dish.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
04 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Marinade
05 - Zest of 1 lemon
06 - Juice of 2 lemons
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (paleo-friendly)
10 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
11 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
12 - Lemon slices, for serving
13 - Additional fresh dill, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, garlic, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
03 - Pat the chicken breasts dry. Rub them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in the prepared baking dish.
04 - Pour the marinade evenly over the chicken breasts, turning to coat well. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes (up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor).
05 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear (internal temperature of 165°F).
06 - Remove from oven, rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh dill and lemon slices before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The marinade creates incredibly juicy chicken without any dairy or gluten
- Fresh lemon and dill make every bite feel fancy enough for dinner guests
- Everything comes together in under an hour with pantry staples you probably have
02 -
- Pounding the chicken to even thickness prevents dry edges and undercooked centers
- The acid in lemon juice can make chicken mushy if marinated longer than 2 hours
- Letting chicken rest after baking is non-negotiable for juicy meat
03 -
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so take it out 20 minutes before cooking
- A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out of doneness