Full of flavor and super easy to make, this Lemon Chicken and Asparagus is made on a sheet pan for a simple dinner option. It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo as well as family-friendly. It’s packed with veggies and very flavorful thanks to the Herbs de Provence along with the zesty lemon. It’s all rounded out with a touch of maple syrup which makes this dinner a surefire crowd pleaser. Try it paired with my Creamy Cauliflower Mash or my Best Mashed Potatoes.
This recipe is based on the flavors of my husband’s favorite meal – Lemon Chicken Penne Pasta. He loves this dish so much in fact it was on the menu for our wedding. The only ‘problem’ with that recipe is the several cups of heavy cream.
It’s not the type of dinner you’d want to be eating every single week since it’s on the heavier side. So I came up with a super flavorful version absolutely packed with veggies instead. I went with asparagus here because it’s our favorite green veggie, but broccoli or green beans can work as well.
As a bonus, this recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free making it suitable for lots of different dietary restrictions. Yet no one is going to feel like they’re eating diet food here, it’s just a simple recipe with lots of flavor to go around.
Watch how to make Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Sheet Pan Dinner
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken – I like to use chicken breasts in this sheet pan dinner because it’s a larger serving size per person. However, you can definitely use chicken thighs as well and adjust the cooking time, just keep the overall amount of chicken the same. I also use boneless skinless chicken meat here. I wouldn’t recommend subbing with bone in and skin on because the maple syrup will get too brown in the longer cooking time.
- Asparagus – is our favorite veggie to use here, but broccoli or broccolini works just as well. You may want to add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time depending on the size of the broccoli florets.
- Herbs de Provence – is a spice mix made up of thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, bay leaf, and often a touch of lavender. The amounts and herbs vary in each spice mix. I use the one from Simply Organic Spices, but I’ve never found a blend I didn’t like. Just make sure whatever you use doesn’t have any salt in it, or adjust the rest of the recipe accordingly.
- Garlic – minced fresh garlic or you can also use a garlic press. I don’t recommend jarred minced garlic here because it’s overwhelming. If you don’t have fresh garlic, try 1 teaspoon of unsalted garlic powder instead.
- Maple syrup – adds a touch of sweetness and really brings out the taste of everything else, but it can be omitted.
- Olive oil – helps both the chicken and asparagus to roast nicely and keeps everything moist.
- Lemon – both the lemon zest and the lemon juice go into this recipe for the perfect amount of lemon flavor. I don’t recommend using bottled lemon juice or dried lemon zest in this particular recipe.
How to make this Lemon Chicken and Asparagus recipe step by step
Step 1: Start by preheating the oven. Next, whisk together all the ingredients listed for the sauce in the recipe. I like to try and crush the Herbs de Provence a bit between my fingers as I add it to the mixture to help bring out its flavors.
Step 2: Next line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly space out the 4 chicken breasts. Pour 1/2-2/3 of the Herbs de Provence mixture over the chicken breasts and bake until almost done.
Step 4: When the chicken is almost done, remove it from the oven and position them close together. Arrange the asparagus around the outer layer and drizzle with the remaining Herbs de Provence mixture. Place the lemon slices over the chicken breasts and asparagus, then return the pan to the oven to broil just until done.
Important note: I like to use parchment paper for easy cleanup but I make sure there’s no extra hanging over the ends of the baking sheet to burn under the broiler. It’s not usually recommended to broil parchment paper, but I’ve made this countless times and it’s never burned yet. You can also just bake everything right on the cookie sheet, but make sure your baking pan is in good condition or it will be difficult to clean up.
Ways to serve this
- Add my Creamy Mashed Cauliflower or my Best Mashed Potatoes for a yummy side dish. Or keep it simple with some freshly steamed rice.
- Or keep it light by adding a salad like my Easy Green Salad or my Strawberry Mango Spinach Salad.
- Finish dinner off with a spring-themed dessert like my Almond Flour Strawberry Shortcake or my Easiest Chocolate Avocado Mousse with whatever berries are in season.
FAQ’s
They are both a mixture of very similar dried herbs but in different proportions. However, Herbs de Provence also contains lavender flowers adding a different flavor profile altogether. Herbs de Provence is a mixture of thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, bay leaf, and of course the above-mentioned lavender.
Yes you can, I have done this on occasion just to mix things up. But the lemon flavors here are really best with Herbs de Provence! And I think you’ll find yourself using it often once you have it in your spice cabinet. It’s really wonderful as a marinade for any grilled chicken as well.
Small broccoli florets or broccolini will work well here, but you’ll probably need to double the cooking time listed for the asparagus. Green beans would work well here too.
Storing leftovers
- To store – place any leftovers into a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat – add a portion of the leftovers to a skillet, cover, and simmer over medium heat until heated through. If the pan runs dry add a touch of water to the pan. Or you can microwave the leftovers. It also helps to cut the chicken up into bite-sized pieces before you heat it up so the asparagus doesn’t overcook.
- To freeze – You can freeze any remaining chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and heat as directed above. I sometimes chop the chicken up into bite-sized pieces before freezing so I can use it in lunch salads later. I don’t recommend freezing the asparagus because it will be soggy when it thaws.
Tips & Tricks
- Be careful when you turn the oven up to broil! Broiling is the best way to finish the chicken and perfectly cook the asparagus. However, things can go from perfect to burned quickly. So just be sure to keep a close eye on things!
- Try other veggies like the broccoli or green beans mentioned above; this sheet pan dinner is the perfect way to use up veggies from the garden, Farmer’s market, or a CSA.
- As mentioned above, be careful to fit the parchment paper to the size of the pan without any extra hanging over it. As long as the chicken and asparagus cover up most of the parchment paper, there won’t be any problem with it burning.
Asparagus tip: Store bought asparagus has been cut which means the bottom ends will be too hard and woody to eat. By snapping off the ends, you end up with just tender spears. I bought 2 pounds of asparagus, and ended up with just 1 1/2 pounds after removing the ends.
When I buy asparagus from the Farmer’s Market, they’ve harvested the asparagus by snapping the stalks at the natural breaking point. This means that the whole bunch is useable without any of it going to waste. This also means you get a better deal price wise than store bought – pound for pound.
I really hope you enjoy this Lemon Chicken and Asparagus! If you do get a chance to make this recipe, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Sheet Pan Dinner
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts - 4
- 2 tsp Herbs de Provence
- 1 clove garlic - minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice - from 1 lemon
- 2 tsp sea salt - or to taste
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1.5 pounds asparagus - 1 bunch
- 1 lemon - cut into thin slices
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the chicken breasts evenly on the baking sheet, and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Herb de Provence, minced garlic, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, sea salt, and pepper until combined.
- Pour half of the mixture over the chicken breasts. Place the pan in the oven and cook until the chicken is almost done about 20 minutes.
- Toss the remaining Herbs de Provence mixture with the asparagus, and set it aside.
- When the chicken is almost done, remove it from the oven, and set the oven to the broil setting. Place the asparagus around the edges.
- Pour any of the remaining sauce from the asparagus over the pan. Place a few lemon slices in and around the chicken and asparagus.
- Broil, (on the low setting) the chicken and asparagus until the asparagus is crisp tender and the chicken golden brown and no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
My daughter and I have made this several times this year. It has a nice vibrant flavor. We just love it!
Thanks so much, I’m so glad to hear you’ve been enjoying it this year!
Bursting with flavor! My daughter and I really enjoyed this. I’m making for the 2nd time tonight.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it and wonderful to hear you’re making it again!
I love this recipe and i’ve tried it with both asparagus and broccoli, both great. I do flip the breasts and pour the juice over the other side. I’m also experimenting with thickening the herbs mixture with more honey to baste the breasts and not have so much burn away. But i’m making it several times a month.
I also make a bit extra of the herbs mix for leftovers the next day.
I’m so glad to hear you’ve been enjoying this recipe so much! I do think basting and turning the chicken breasts would be essential with more honey so it doesn’t burn!
Thanks for the recipe. It turned out perfectly tender.
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
A little tip never put parchment paper under the broiler! This was a great recipe other then that!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe! I did make several notes that parchment paper isn’t rated for the broiler, but if it’s covered by the chicken and asparagus it doesn’t burn.
I mixed the seasoning ingredients together and used part of that to marinate the chicken. Turned out my asparagus was spoiled so we ended up grilling the chicken. It was excellent! I also eliminated the salt. It wasn’t missed at all.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it even though you didn’t end up using your asparagus, hopefully you get to try it out next time!
I literally make this at least once a week. Even my family loves it!
I’m so glad to hear you and your family have been enjoying this, that’s always the best compliment when everyone at the table is happy!
This was delicious and so easy. I substituted the asparagus with beans and it was a hit. Thanks!
Sounds perfect, I definitely need to try using beans sometime and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!