Savory Bright Citrus Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken paired with fresh vegetables in a zesty citrus sauce for a bright, flavorful dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.32 lbs)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Citrus Marinade & Sauce
05 - Zest of 1 orange
06 - Juice of 1 orange (about 3 fl oz)
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
08 - Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 fl oz)
09 - 1 tbsp honey
10 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
11 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
13 - 1/4 cup (1 fl oz) low-sodium chicken broth
→ Vegetables
14 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
15 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
16 - 1 small red onion, sliced
17 - 1 small zucchini, sliced
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
19 - Extra citrus zest (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together orange zest and juice, lemon zest and juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, thyme leaves, and low-sodium chicken broth. Reserve 1/4 cup of marinade for later use.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour remaining marinade over them. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and discard used marinade. Season chicken with salt and black pepper. Sear chicken breasts for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, add sliced red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
05 - Return seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Pour reserved marinade over chicken and vegetables. Cover skillet and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
06 - Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and extra citrus zest over the dish if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It brings a burst of fresh citrus flavors that brighten up even the simplest chicken.
- The balance between tangy marinade and tender veggies makes every bite feel thoughtfully made.
02 -
- Marinating just 15 minutes is enough to infuse great flavor without overwhelming the chicken.
- Saving a bit of marinade before soaking chicken lets you add fresh flavor at the end while simmering.
03 -
- Make sure your skillet is hot enough before searing to get that perfect golden crust.
- Reserving some marinade and adding it near the end boosts fresh flavor and keeps the sauce vibrant.