One Pot Lemon Chicken and Asparagus

4.64 from 25 votes
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One pot skillet chicken and asparagus is truly a perfect dish- just toss ingredients in, and out comes a complete meal with a side dish! Perfect for busy weeknights, dinner parties, or Sunday supper.ย 

cast iron skillet with asparagus and chicken with lemons on it

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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe – my goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

I want each reader to walk away with a solid knowledge of each recipe, with all of the tips I’ve gathered from extensive testing of each recipe. I also answer questions my friends and family have asked about my recipes, to help everyone better understand the processes we use – and why!

Simple Lemon Chicken with Asparagus

I always have a lot of chicken and vegetables on hand. When you peek in my fridge, I am almost guaranteed to have a ton of asparagus or green beans and chicken- no matter all the other ingredients I have on hand for our week’s meals.

Asparagus and chicken are so versatile and easy to prepare I love having them as great base ingredients for bigger meals- but I recently came up with this simple skillet dish for the two of them that is phenomenal!

If you’ve been reading Sweet C’s for a while, you’ll know I have a major thing for whole roast chicken, and one of my favorite whole roast chicken recipes is my one pot Grecian Chicken.

I took the ingredients of that dish and changed it up a bit to add in a side dish right into the skillet- and swapped out chicken breasts instead of a whole bird to make this a truly easy weeknight meal.

You can’t get any easier than this- the main dish cooks right with the vegetable side, so there is only one pan to clean up afterwards!

This meal is perfect for two adults and two kids, or three adults- and is very easily scalable. You can cook up to five chicken breasts with the amount of lemons and spices listed- simply brown them in batches, and then add everything to the pan.

Don’t overcrowd your pan when browning the chicken, or your chicken won’t get a good sear and will become tough and gummy.

If you prefer chicken thighs or drumsticks, this recipe is perfect!

You’ll just need to modify the cooking time to make sure you don’t over or undercook, as the times listed here are for thick chicken breasts.

Investing in a good meat thermometer will take all your timing guesswork out!

cast iron skillet with asparagus and chicken with lemons on it

Tips and Tricks to One Pot Lemon Chicken with Asparagus

Choose the Right Pan. Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven to ensure even cooking and enough space for all ingredients. A non-stick or cast-iron skillet works well.

Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time. Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. This includes slicing the lemon, trimming the asparagus, and seasoning the chicken.

Season the Chicken Generously. Donโ€™t skimp on seasoning. Rub the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and even a touch of paprika or Italian seasoning for added depth of flavor.

Sear the Chicken for Extra Flavor. Sear the chicken in the pan until golden brown before adding other ingredients. This creates a nice crust and enhances the overall flavor of the dish. Make sure to sear both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.

Deglaze the Pan. After searing the chicken, deglaze the pan with chicken broth, white wine, or even a splash of lemon juice. This will lift any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom of the pan and incorporate them into the sauce.

Control the Citrus. Start with the juice of one lemon, and taste as you go. If you prefer a more pronounced lemon flavor, you can always add more, but itโ€™s harder to dial back once itโ€™s too strong.

Donโ€™t Overcook the Asparagus. Add the asparagus towards the end of cooking to keep it crisp-tender. Overcooking asparagus can make it mushy and less vibrant.

Monitor Liquid Levels. Keep an eye on the amount of liquid in the pan. If it reduces too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to maintain a good amount of sauce.

Customize the Veggies. Feel free to add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or mushrooms. Theyโ€™ll add extra flavor and variety to the dish.

Serve with a Zest. Add a final touch by grating a bit of lemon zest over the dish before serving. It brightens the flavors and makes the dish pop.

Use Bone-In Chicken for More Flavor. If time allows, consider using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts. They have more flavor and stay juicier, though they might require a slightly longer cooking time.

cast iron skillet with asparagus and chicken with lemons on it

What to Enjoy with Lemon Chicken

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic will complement the bright flavors of lemon chicken.

Couscous or Quinoa: A light and fluffy grain side dish, perfect for soaking up the delicious lemon sauce.

Wild Rice Pilaf: The nutty flavor of wild rice adds depth to the meal and pairs well with the lemony chicken.

Crusty Bread: A slice of fresh, warm bread is great for mopping up any extra sauce.

Roasted Vegetables: Try a medley of roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts for added texture and flavor contrast.

Greek Salad: The tanginess of feta and olives adds a nice contrast to the lemon chicken.

Caesar Salad: The creamy dressing and crunchy croutons offer a textural balance.

Try these other One Pot Wonders:

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cast iron skillet with asparagus and chicken with lemons on it
4.64 from 25 votes

One Pot Lemon Chicken and Asparagus

By: Courtney O’Dell
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 48 minutes
One pot skillet chicken and asparagus is truly a perfect dish- just toss ingredients in, and out comes a complete meal with a side dish! Perfect for busy weeknights, dinner parties, or sunday supper.

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 bunch of asparagus, woody parts trimmed and then cut into 1″ strips
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Heat cast iron pan on stove on medium high.
  • Add olive oil to hot pan and heat until shimmery.
  • Add chicken to pan and brown.
  • Remove from stove and add lemon, garlic and oregano into pan.
  • Cook in oven until chicken reaches 155 degrees internally, about 25 minutes.
  • Add asparagus to pan.
  • Continue to heat until asparagus is soft and chicken has reached internal temperature of 175 degrees, about another 20 minutes.
  • Serve immediately with salad, rice, or vegetables.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 49gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 263mgPotassium: 892mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: chicken breasts, Main Course, One Pot
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetcsdesigns or tag #sweetcsdesigns!

About Courtney

Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet Cโ€™s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!

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4.64 from 25 votes (25 ratings without comment)

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21 Comments

  1. Annie says:

    YUMMY! YUMMY! YUMMY! I just made this for lunch and got raving reviews from my family, and a bunch of comments, the most popular one being, “PLEASE make this again”
    I ended up using some frozen chicken tenders that were in my freezer, and cooked them for about 30 -45 minutes, and then added the asparagus a cooked for another 20 mins! Thanks so much for this recipe!

  2. Angie says:

    Making this tonight!

  3. Dulce says:

    What would the oven heat be if i just use baking dish instead of the cast iron? Please help

    1. Courtney ODell says:

      Same!

    2. Teena says:

      Absolutely loved this! I try to to keep my meals be around 400 calories & am always looking for new recipes. This is a keeper! Thank you.

  4. Avi L says:

    very nice recipe thank you very much