Honey Lemon Chicken
April 8, 2021 | By Jeremy Scheck | 112 Comments
My mom’s honey lemon chicken went viral last summer! Here’s the full tutorial.
Here are a couple tips for making the perfect honey lemon chicken:
- Don’t skimp on the seasoning
- Make sure the pan is hot to get good color
- You can make it all in the same pan if you want, but if you double the recipe, you may need to dirty a second pan anyway to brown the chicken in batches- (and not every skillet is oven-safe, AND if you’re using cast iron, you may not want to have acidic lemon juice on it)
- Make some rice (and a veggie) while the chicken is in the oven!
- The oven is used mainly to cook the chicken all the way through, get a little caramelization in the lemons, and it gives you time to clean up and prepare other parts of the meal.
Honey Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts or equivalent chicken cutlets or chicken tenders (you can cut them how you like, but I like pounded and cut into thin strips)
- 1/2 cup flour for dredging
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Garlic Powder, to taste
- Paprika, to taste (I like non-smoked)
- Oregano (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided in 2)
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 lemons
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Season the chicken breast and the flour generously with salt and pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano if using.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil.
- Lightly coat the chicken pieces in the season flour, (shake off excess), and start browning the chicken. The pan should be hot enough that it sizzles. Add the 1 tablespoon of butter. You aren't trying to fully cook the chicken at this point, just get color on each side.
- Transfer the browned chicken to an oven safe dish. In the pan you cooked the chicken, add the last tablespoon of butter, the chicken stock, and the honey. Let it simmer briefly, then pour the sauce over the chicken in the dish. Squeeze over the juice of 1-2 lemons.
- Cut the third lemon into thin slices (remove seeds! they will make it bitter), and arrange in the dish with the chicken. Top with red pepper flakes if desired.
- Bake at 375° F for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is deeply golden brown, the sauce is a bit thicker, and the lemons are softened and slightly caramelized (you can eat them!)
- Top with fresh parsley and serve with rice.
Jeremy Scheck spent high school perfecting his signature cupcakes, making quiches and coffee cake by the dozen at a local bakery, and teaching cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma. As a 10th grader in 2016, he began documenting his favorite recipes on a blog called The After School Bakery. In college, Jeremy learned to make 50 gallons of ice cream in the food science lab, how to prune grape vines in the teaching vineyard, the best way to milk a cow in Northern Italy, and why film photography is an art worth saving. As a sophomore in 2020, he traded blog photos for video and became a TikTok culinary sensation. Jeremy has been featured on the Today show, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, BBC Radio, People, and Access Hollywood, among others. Jeremy is a graduate of Cornell University with a double major in Spanish and Italian, and significant coursework in food science. He lives in Brooklyn, NY. Learn more about Jeremy.
This was my lunch almost everyday during the summer and after some time, I made it today and I still just can’t get enough of it! Super simple and all the ingredients are always in my pantry. Thank you, Jeremy!! 😋
Made this last year and it was so good! The chicken was very juicy and flavorful. I just wish that I made the sauce a little thicker. Over all 10/10!
This dish was so good and very easy to make! The recipe was very easy to follow and is fool proof. I will be making this chicken again! The flavors were delicious! The brightness from the lemon and the sweetness from the honey was balanced. I highly suggest adding the red chili flakes!
I made this last summer for my boyfriend and we loved it so much I made it again the next week for my grandparents! Everyone loved this recipe and although I’m vegetarian now, this is one of the meals with meat that I miss. Very easy and delicious!
Just put mine in the oven. So excited to try it. Will let you know how it is
This is my favorite recipe! My new go to dinner I’ve also subbed the chicken with tofu before and it’s still as delicious! Must try!!!!!
I have NO photos, my apologies. Easy to make, DELICIOUS! I did boneless chicken thighs bc I don’t like breast and it loved it!
This was really delicious and easy to make!
Made it earlies this summer for my family and we fell in love with it!! It tasted so fresh and the sweetness went perfect with the chicken. Seeing the recipe on instagram reminded me of it again and i might make it this week!
This is ridiculously good! It does not disappoint in flavor, tenderness…you HAVE to try it
This dish is SO good!! I’ve made it probably twenty times since it was posted on Tiktok in the summer. My family loves it, my boyfriend loves it, I love it. So good, so easy, the recipe is perfect exactly as it is!!
I’ve made this many times and it has become one of our favorites! My mom has to be gluten free so I use corn starch instead of flour and it works just fine. Highly recommend!
DAMN DAMN DAMNNNN
rhis is actually one of the best recipes I’ve made. this sauce is so flavorful and i make it a ton now! Jeremy never fails 🥰
So tasty! The perfect midweek dinner- uses simple ingredients you’ll probably have at home. I served with pasta and roast med veg and had the leftovers for lunch. Absolutely delicious and will be making again and again!!
i made this for my family and it was a hit! i will definitely make it again.
Absolutely delicious! Made it with substitute flour to avoid the gluten and it still came out so tasty. My husband even loved it so much he asked to have it meal prepped for lunches next week. Already saved the recipe for future dinner rotations.
This chicken was really flavorful and super juicy! It was really easy to make as well even though I made a much bigger batch. Instead of 2 chicken breasts I used 2-3 lbs and pretty much just eyeballed everything instead of doing conversions. Still turned out great and would definitely recommend.
Did you double the liquids too?
So delicious!! Will definitely make again!
This recipe was amazing and the chicken really does get quite crispy! I used chicken thighs and that seemed to work just as well 🙂 One modification I would make is to put less sliced lemon because the rind makes the sauce a tad bitter for my liking but other than that, this recipe is easily a 5/5 and everyone I had try it loved it!! Thanks, Mrs. Scheck 😀
Amazing, quick and delicious! Whole family enjoyed it. Will definitely be trying out more of your recipes.
This was SO good and super easy to make! 10/10 will be making again
I made this for dinner tonight. Everyone in my family loved it!!! It was simple to make and had mostly all ingredients in my kitchen already. Delicious!!!!
Make this. Make this chicken. Make this chicken now. It’s so easy to make and tastes like it was very difficult. Absolute perfection!
Has anyone tried this with turkey breasts? I was wondering if this might work as well as it seems to be the only thing available in my supermarket at the moment. Would you reckon it would make a huge difference?
This was so good! It was easy to make and nice that all the ingredients needed were easily accessible and already in my pantry. Definitely going into my long term recipe bank
This is such a tasty and easy recipe! Definitely follow the instructions and only brown the chicken in the pan – don’t cook it all the way. I accidentally cooked it all the way the first time I tried this and it turned out a little dry.
I have literally never in my life commented on a recipe, but I just HAD to for this incredible chicken. It’s so simple, so easy, and yet has a fantastic flavor. I was amazed at how juicy and tender the chicken turned out. No need for a knife at all. The best part was the fact that everyone in my family LOVED it! This NEVER happens. My three year old loved it and my six year old who claims to hate all chicken (except chicken nuggets, which he correctly says is not real chicken lol) liked it too! It’s a miracle. Thank you!!!!!
This recipe is so good! It’s a perfect balance of savory, sweet and acid. I’ll definitely add red pepper flakes next time, it needs a little heat. 10/10 will make again 🙂
Just made this and even my 2 year old loved it. Want to double ingredients for leftovers, but too easy to make fresh.
I’ve made this recipe three times and it is now one of my favorite meals!
I’ve tested out so many recipes from Scheck Eats and have loved them all, but I keep coming back to this one!!
Thank you Jeremy!!
This is THE. BEST. thing I have ever tasted. And it’s so easy. I’ll be making this weekly from now on. Maybe more often than that.
This is on of my go to dinners!! It’s easy to make and so delicious. Love making rice to soak up all the sauce and adding a bunch of red pepper flakes like Jeremy suggests!! YUM
Easy, light, and refreshing! Made it for my family and they absolutely loved it. No leftovers😌
I just made this and omg this is so good! The chicken is so moist because while it’s in the oven it’s covered in juice and then the rice with the juice is amazing. I had it with a side of sautéd cabbage and onions and it just paired so well. Definitely making this again for my in laws!
This was absolutely DELICIOUS! I doubled the sauce. Will definitely be part of my rotation!! Especially because I’m a college student, like Scheck, & the entire 5 servings meal I made was under $10!!!!
This was so!!!! good!!! Just made it tonight after watching the tik tok for it several times. It was super easy to make and super filling! I’m in college and this will definitely start to be a part of my weekly rotation it was that good and easy.
Finally tried this recipe and OMG definitely added to my go to meals! Can’t wait to share this with my family when they visit!
Had this for dinner tonight and it was 10/10 amazing!
This is one of my new favorite chicken dishes! I already made it twice this week. It’s so fresh with the parsley and the chicken is so juicy. 10/10 recommend!
Made for my family who are picky of EVERYTHING and they said it was the best chicken they’ve ever had
This was amazing! Super easy to make and made me feel fancy. Definitely do not be shy with how much you season if you like your food extra flavorful though! Can’t wait to make this again!!
My fiancé and I have this probably every week. I normally just leave it to fry longer and don’t bake ( my southern fried chicken heart can’t not fry chicken ) but it’s so good and a favorite of both of our families now
Literally the best chicken I’ve ever tasted. 1000/10. I’ve texted everyone I know the recipe
This was so good! Everyone in my family loved it. Will definitely make again.
Absolutely delicious the lemon gives it such a lightness and freshness!! Definitely going in my rotation of favorites.
An easy and delicious recipe, will be adding this to my rotation if dishes. I also just made a little extra sauce and used the left overs over pasta!!
My husband and I made this for dinner and it was delicious! Clear instructions with a flavorful result – definitely recommend
this recipe was so good! So flavourful and juicy, it’s my favourite dinner as a college student!
Sooo good. Easy, and I always have all the supplies in my pantry/fridge.
It’s easy, delicious, and never fails to impress. I’ve made this recipe multiple times and it quickly became a household favorite. My advice, don’t skimp with the seasoning! I also substitute the breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs and it still comes out amazing!
This was sooo easy to make and so delicious. Normally not a fan of chicken in general, I think it‘s too dry and flavorless. But omg!!!! This was so flavorful and yummy. Definitely going to make this again soon.
I’ve made this for my family many times and it’s always a hit! It’s seriously so simple to make and the chicken is so juicy. The sauce soaks into the coating of the chicken and it’s so flavorful. Love serving it with rice and roasted veggies. Definitely try this recipe if you’re looking for a easy dinner recipe!
Super easy to make and so tasty. Have recommended everyone to make it!!
delicious!! This is soooo good
I served w rice
Whenever I make a Jeremy Scheck I know its going to be delicious. This recipe is simple, easy to follow, and delicious. Thank you!!
Whenever I make a Jeremy Scheck recipe I know its going to be delicious. This recipe is simple, easy to follow, and delicious. Thank you!!
literally the best, i could eat this every day
The most delicious and simple chicken recipe. I make this once a week and everyone I cook for loves it. Makes great leftovers as well! I always make extra for my sister and I to take to work for lunch the next day.
I am a picky meat eater, and I am used to cooking mainly chicken breast. I came across this recipe while searching for a new way to innovate. My husband does not enjoy lemon and lime on food, so I was a little worried. This dish was a HIT! We both absolutely loved it. It was so juicy, the flavors came across just right. Highly recommend.
So easy to make and sooo flavorful I will definitely be using this recipe a lot going forward
This was awesome! Super easy and straightforward. Doubled the recipe so I can have leftovers. Paired it with Rice and Greek salad, so good! Thanks Jeremy!!
Made this chicken for a few friends as our last Sunday dinner at school, it turned out so good and everyone loved it! Paired with mashed potatoes and corn. I will definitely be making this again!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic! This will be entering the weekly rotation. It has so much flavor and yet is so simple and easy to make. I recommend adding the red pepper as it gives a lot of dimension and extra flavor
Made this for dinner and it was so so easy and delish! Paired it with white rice. Will be in the rotation in our house. Love all your recipes Jeremy!
Delicious!
Such a crowd pleaser! Made this for dinner and my family loved it. It was super easy to make and delicious.
This turned out great! I’ve never cooked chicken before because I’m afraid of undercooking meat, but this was truly foolproof. The chicken was extremely tender and delicious. Easy recipe. I served this with garlic mashed potatoes and it was a hit!
I’ve made this several times, always a huge hit!! It’s so good, so easy and I make a double batch bc the leftovers are such a treat
This is my family’s favorite dish. Simple ingredients, easy to make and it’s perfect everytime. Try the lemon slices!
this is one of the best recipes i have ever tried!! my mom and i enjoyed it very much!!
THIS IS SO FLAVORFUL and tastes so good
Guests are always impressed when I make this
The chicken tastes citrusy, it’s juicy and quick to make.
LOVE THIS. it’s my go to recipe now
I made this for my roommates — it was so delicious! The red pepper flakes added a perfect touch, and the chicken was so juicy.
My family makes it every single week! So good!
Wow! Get ready for some delicious chicken! I just made this for lunch. I cook a lot and have tried many many chicken dishes. This by far is probably the best chicken recipe I have tried. The combination of flavors of sweet and savory together. I followed exactly and it did not disappoint. Moist,tender and the spice combo with honey and lemon, omg! I’m making this again.
Honestly best easy weeknight meal EVER. If you haven’t made yet you’re missing out.
super easy and the whole family loved it…a dish the everyone will eat is hard to come by but not anymore!!
I’ve made this probably a dozen times now, even switching the citrus out for what looks nice in the store, oranges, grapefruits, limes, mixing some together. Never fails to turn out delicious. When I use a sweet citrus like oranges, I even supreme it and cook some of the fruit into the sauce
Made this today for the first time. Oh. my. goodness. Amazing flavor! I didn’t have paprika so I substituted with cayenne pepper and it’s just wow!
So easy and so delicious!
This recipe is DELICIOUS. I have celiac so I used gluten free flour, but it still came out so good. The sauce wasn’t quite as thick, but that was totally on the flour I used. Regardless, this recipe is going to be one of my go-tos from now on!
All of the ingredients melded together into a heavenly, thickened sauce after the 25 minutes. I also threw in sautéed sliced bell peppers and zucchini (prior to baking), and the veggies soaked up the sauce and bursted with flavor. The caramelized lemon slices were 👌🏻. Can’t wait to make it again. Thank you, Jeremy!!
Anyone know the macros for this recipe? Or calories?
Wow! Amazing chicken. Not a super difficult and fabulous with rice. Make sure you spoon some of the sauce over the rice!
This recipe is so good!! Definitely in my regular rotation now and so quick and easy. I like to use chicken thighs and add some sauteed veggies on the side and it comes out delicious every time!
This recipe is so good, I’m literally losing my mind! I didn’t have any chicken stock on hand, so I just used water and added some italian herbs, dried basil, pepper and salt to it. The sauce was absolutely wonderful, and I highly recommend adding chilli flakes, it balance the lemon and honey perfectly!
One of my favorites! Will be making this regularly. Thank you, Jeremy!
Jeremy, your recipes are an inspiration! I made this with Gardein Chick’n Strips and chickpeas, because I’m vegetarian. Only difference was I used vegetable stock and added flour at the end to thicken – and did it all in cast iron skillet. Delish!
absolutely love this recipe!! i cant get enough <3
This will be added to my weekly dinner rotation! Such a quick, easy, and delicious meal! I can not recommend it enough.
This was the first one of your recipes I tried and now, I will endeavor to make all of them lol. Perfect balance of flavors, perfect texture, just all around perfect. Can’t wait to make this again! Thank you, Jeremy’s mom and Jeremy!!!
Finally made this for the first time tonight — it has been on my list for awhile. It was SO GOOD and a pretty easy weeknight recipe. I served with leftover rice and roasted brussel sprouts. We used Mikes hot honey, which gave it the perfect kick!! Can’t wait to make again!
Made it tonight. I join the other comments here in saying it was delicious. In a world where there is a massive food network of recipes and blogs, very few actually cut the mustard. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I look forward to testing what else you have 😊
OMG I made this last night and it was incredible!! I only had chicken thighs on hand so I adjusted the oven cook time, but it still came out perfect. My husband couldn’t get enough of the sauce. His words were “this is what I’ve always imagined food ‘fit for a Skyrim jarl’ would be.” 😂 Definitely will be trying more of your recipes!
Any tips on how I can make the sauce thicker? Comes out watery everytime I try!
As a vegetarian option use paneer cut into half inch “slabs.” I seasoned and cooked it the same way as the chicken. It crisped up way better than tofu ever would and got rave reviews (asked for recipe immediately after eating) from the vegetarian who I served it to. I actually wanted the paneer version because it looked amazing but didn’t have enough.
I just made this dish and it didn’t turn out quite as beautiful as yours. I’m wondering if I should’ve left the chicken uncovered while baking? I wasn’t sure, so I covered it just to be safe.
I left it uncovered and it came out browned and beautiful.
Saw this recipe a year ago on Tiktok and finally made it- why did I wait?!?! It was a huge hit with my picky-eating husband and my two kids. Scheck, we will be back to make more of your recipes! Thanks!
This dish is soooo good and easy to make. It’s now a favorite in our house.
This is one of my all time favorite recipes. It’s very easy to make and so tasty!
I made this tonight and it was delicious! Definitely will be making this again even my picky eater 3 year old loved it! I 100% recommend making this.
Absolutely loved this! Recipe was easy to follow and the results were out of this world!
Made this with my roommates and we LOVED. Definitely going to be a staple recipe in our house
As a college student, I really appreciate how Jeremy shares recipes that are as easy to make as they are delicious. This is definitely becoming one of my regular recipes. Thank you!!
This is now my go-to chicken recipe – So tasty, so easy, and requires minimal ingredients that I always have! Very delicious – It’s my new hyper fixation 😍
This is my favorite week night dinner. It’s so easy and the sauce is amazing!
SO good! Doubled the recipe, made it with chicken thigh strips and honey i brought back from spain and it came out incredible.
this recipe is so so good.
I just made this recipe and it came out super delicious! It made me feel like I made a gourmet meal! I will most definitely make this dish again!
Love this recipe! I found it on tik tok over a year ago and have made it countless times now.
Made this recipe 100 times and it’s been appreciated every time . Even my toddler loves it !! Super incredible!