This Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is a fantastic solution for those busy weeknights when you want a delicious and healthy meal on the table fast.
It brings together tender chicken and fresh asparagus, all coated in a bright, zesty lemon dill sauce that’s bursting with flavor. This one-pan wonder simplifies cleanup and delivers a satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef looking for a quick win, this recipe is designed to be straightforward and stress-free. It’s perfect for a light yet filling dinner, offering a fresh taste that brightens up any mealtime routine. Get ready to add this easy skillet dish to your regular rotation!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining
Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is a quick and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken and fresh asparagus in a bright, zesty lemon dill sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a healthy and flavorful dish that comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken and asparagus: Begin by patting the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely. Cut the chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus spears and then cut the remaining tender stalks into 1-inch pieces. Mince your garlic cloves and set them aside.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, as it will finish cooking with the asparagus.
3. Add the aromatics and asparagus: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Immediately add the cut asparagus pieces to the skillet with the chicken and garlic.
4. Simmer with liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Stir everything together gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Finish cooking: Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp and the chicken is cooked through with no pink remaining. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 F (74 C).
6. Season and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh or dried dill, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh lemon slices if desired, and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, asparagus, lemon, garlic, skillet, one pan, quick, healthy, weeknight, dill
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is truly a weeknight hero for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick to prepare, meaning you can have a wholesome, home-cooked meal ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for those evenings when time is short after work or school activities. It’s also a one-pan meal, which is a huge bonus for anyone who dreads washing a stack of dishes. Everything cooks together beautifully in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing your free time.
This recipe is ideal for families because it features familiar and well-loved ingredients like chicken and asparagus, prepared in a way that’s flavorful but not overly complicated for picky eaters. The bright lemon and aromatic garlic create a universally appealing taste profile that’s fresh and inviting. It’s a healthy option, packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, making it a great choice for anyone looking to eat well without sacrificing flavor. Serve it as a light dinner on its own, or pair it with a simple side for a more substantial meal. It’s also fantastic for meal prepping, as the flavors hold up well for a few days in the fridge.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is simple. Most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its fresh, simple components that come together to create a vibrant and satisfying dish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: lemon slices for garnish
For the chicken, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts if you prefer a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. Just ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. If fresh asparagus isn’t in season, you can use frozen asparagus, but add it directly to the skillet from frozen during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent it from getting mushy. Vegetable broth can easily replace chicken broth for a vegetarian option, though the recipe as written is not vegetarian. If you don’t have fresh dill, dried dill works perfectly fine; just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated, so use about one-third of the amount of fresh herbs. You can also experiment with other fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a slightly different flavor profile.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is designed for speed and efficiency, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 15-20 minutes Total time: 25-30 minutes
This realistic timeline accounts for chopping the chicken and asparagus, mincing the garlic, and the actual cooking process in the skillet. The quick cooking time ensures that both the chicken remains tender and the asparagus retains a slight crispness, avoiding overcooked, mushy vegetables.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this flavorful Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect meal every time.
- Prepare the chicken and asparagus: Begin by patting the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely. Cut the chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch pieces. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus spears and then cut the remaining tender stalks into 1-inch pieces. Mince your garlic cloves and set them aside.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, as it will finish cooking with the asparagus.
- Add the aromatics and asparagus: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Immediately add the cut asparagus pieces to the skillet with the chicken and garlic.
- Simmer with liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Stir everything together gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Finish cooking: Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp and the chicken is cooked through with no pink remaining. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Season and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh or dried dill, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh lemon slices if desired, and serve immediately.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet is wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy variations and serving options to suit any occasion or preference.
For a kid-friendly twist, you might consider cutting the chicken into smaller, bite-sized “nuggets” and ensuring the asparagus is cooked until very tender. You could also serve it with a side of plain rice or pasta, allowing them to mix in the chicken and asparagus as they like. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese over the top just before serving can also be a hit with younger eaters.
If you’re looking to add more vegetables, feel free to toss in some cherry tomatoes during the last few minutes of cooking for a burst of color and sweetness, or some sliced bell peppers alongside the asparagus. For a heartier meal, stir in some cooked quinoa or orzo pasta directly into the skillet after the chicken and asparagus are done. This transforms it into a complete one-pan meal.
When serving for a party or buffet, this dish holds up well at room temperature for a short period, though it’s best enjoyed warm. You can prepare it just before guests arrive and keep it warm on a low setting or in a chafing dish. It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, or a light rice pilaf. As for optional toppings, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick, or a dash of fresh parsley can enhance the fresh flavor profile. A dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on the side can also offer a creamy contrast.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet, a few common mistakes can impact the final dish. Knowing how to avoid them will ensure your meal turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent slip-up is overcrowding the skillet when searing the chicken. If you put too much chicken in the pan at once, it will steam instead of brown, resulting in less flavorful, pale chicken. To avoid this, cook the chicken in batches if your skillet isn’t large enough to accommodate it in a single layer. This ensures a nice golden-brown sear, which adds depth of flavor.
Another common issue is overcooking the asparagus. Asparagus cooks relatively quickly, and if left in the pan for too long, it can become mushy and lose its vibrant green color. Keep an eye on it and aim for a tender-crisp texture. It should still have a slight bite to it. Start checking for doneness around the 5-minute mark after adding the asparagus and liquids.
Burning the garlic is another easy mistake to make. Garlic can go from fragrant to burnt very quickly, turning bitter and unpleasant. Always add the minced garlic after the chicken has mostly cooked and reduce the heat to medium. Cook it for only about a minute, stirring constantly, until it’s just fragrant, then immediately add the asparagus and liquids to cool the pan.
Finally, under-seasoning can lead to a bland dish. Don’t be afraid to taste the sauce before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. The brightness of the lemon and dill really shines when balanced with proper seasoning. Remember that the amount of salt needed can vary based on the chicken broth you use (low-sodium vs. regular).
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
