Lemon Garlic Chicken with Pistachio Herb Crust Recipe
This Lemon Garlic Chicken with Pistachio Herb Crust is a flavorful and healthy dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a crunchy, zesty pistachio and herb crust. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s a delightful meal paired beautifully with fresh lemon wedges for an extra burst of brightness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
For the Pistachio Herb Crust:
- ½ cup pistachios, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (optional for extra crunch)
For Serving:
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season them evenly with salt, pepper, minced garlic, and lemon zest to infuse flavor.
- Make the pistachio crust: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped pistachios, fresh parsley, thyme leaves, lemon zest, and breadcrumbs if you prefer extra crunch. Mix thoroughly.
- Crust the chicken: Press the pistachio mixture firmly onto the top side of each chicken breast, ensuring a good coating that will bake into a flavorful crust.
- Bake: Place the crusted chicken breasts onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust turns lightly golden.
- Serve: Garnish the baked chicken with fresh lemon wedges and serve immediately for a bright, fresh finish to the dish.
Notes
- For extra flavor and a crispier crust, sear the chicken breasts in a hot skillet for 2–3 minutes on each side before baking.
- You can prepare the pistachio herb crust ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, adding it just before baking.
- Try swapping parsley and thyme with basil and oregano to change the herb flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with crust
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, pistachio crust chicken, baked chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, Mediterranean chicken