Broiled Paprika and Lemon-Pepper Chicken Breasts Recipe

Broiled Paprika and Lemon-Pepper Chicken Breasts Recipe

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon lemon-pepper seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
  • medium onion, chopped

Directions

Step 1: Position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the broiler.

Step 2: Grease a broiler pan with tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 3: Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Brush both sides of the chicken with the remaining olive oil until fully coated.

Step 4: Sprinkle the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with paprika, lemon-pepper seasoning, and kosher salt.

Step 5: Place the seasoned chicken on the prepared broiler pan. Sprinkle the chopped garlic over the top of the chicken, and scatter the chopped onions around the base, placing a few small pieces on top of the chicken.

Step 6: Cook the chicken under the preheated broiler for about 5 minutes.

Step 7: Flip the chicken over and continue broiling, checking frequently, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. This should take an additional 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 8: To check for doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the chicken. It should read at least 165F (74C).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

  • Calories: 316
  • Total Fat: 21g (26% Daily Value)
  • Saturated Fat: 3g (17% Daily Value)
  • Cholesterol: 65mg (22% Daily Value)
  • Sodium: 633mg (158% Daily Value)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8g (3% Daily Value)
  • Dietary Fiber: 3g (11% Daily Value)
  • Total Sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 25g (50% Daily Value)
  • Vitamin C: 8mg (9% Daily Value)
  • Calcium: 39mg (3% Daily Value)
  • Iron: 3mg (15% Daily Value)
  • Potassium: 416mg (9% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

FAQ about Broiled Paprika and Lemon-Pepper Chicken Breasts Recipe

Leftover broiled chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. If you'd like to store it for longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. When reheating, make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts in this recipe. Just keep in mind that chicken thighs may take a little longer to cook due to their higher fat content. Make sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Yes, you can grill the chicken instead of broiling. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

This dish pairs well with a variety of vegetable side dishes like roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a fresh salad. You can also serve it with rice, couscous, or roasted potatoes for a complete meal.

To reduce the saltiness, you can cut back on the amount of kosher salt in the recipe or omit it entirely. Since the lemon-pepper seasoning already contains salt, it's important to taste and adjust accordingly. You can also make your own lemon-pepper seasoning to control the salt content.

Yes, marinating the chicken for a few hours before broiling will enhance the flavor. You can marinate it in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and the seasonings. Just remember to pat the chicken dry before cooking to ensure it broils evenly.

Yes, you can use other oils like avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil if you prefer. Olive oil provides a distinct flavor, but other oils will work just fine for broiling.

If you don't have a broiler pan, you can use a regular baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Just make sure to place a cooling rack on top of the baking sheet to allow air circulation, which helps cook the chicken evenly.

Yes, you can use skin-on chicken breasts, but be aware that the skin may not crisp up as well under the broiler. If you want crispy skin, consider using a slightly higher broiling temperature or finishing the chicken under the grill.

Flipping the chicken is important to ensure that it cooks evenly on both sides. If you prefer not to flip it, you can also broil it for a longer time on one side, but this may result in uneven cooking.

Comments

June Rohrbaugh

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

My family went for seconds. It's easy to make and tastes great. I will be making this often.

France Cevallos

05/07/2020 12:45:24 AM

I was torn between 2 and 3 stars on this one, but decided on 3 because some tweaks can be made to improve it. First off, this was way too salty and I'm a big salt fan. As I was mixing together the spice blend, I was thinking it was making an awful lot and that there was a ton of salt since lemon pepper seasoning is already salty as is...but I went with it. On the two chicken breasts, I only used 1/4 of the seasoning I had mixed up because there was so much of it, and it still came out too salty. The amount of seasoning as written would be enough for about 8 breasts. I highly recommend you only make a half batch at most, and leave out the salt - only sprinkle some on at the end if needed. I used 8oz breasts and they were done at 10 minutes. The onions were starting to burn, so keep an eye on things. I do like broiling chicken though, as they tend to come out juicy (assuming you don't overcook them!).

Jeff Merckle

10/27/2020 05:51:30 PM

At first, I wasn't sure of the lemon pepper with paprika, but this turned out to be a great recipe with just a couple of revisions. I ended up squeezing a 1/2 lemon and marinated for a couple of hours. After marinating, I seared the chicken, then placed on the onion and marinade and baked at 350 degrees until complete. Very tasty indeed!

Polly Rinas Janos

08/03/2023 11:23:55 AM

Awesome base recipe: I modified it by increasing olive oil, using lemon juice (from 2 lemons) and fresh ground pepper. I then added the other ingredients and made a marinade. I pounded my chicken breasts thin, marinated for a few hours before broiling. My husband and I were very impressed and we both went back for seconds! It's a keeper! I would never have thought of using paprika but it works marvelously!

Jeni Rubley

05/12/2021 01:17:59 AM

This was perfect just as written! My picture didn’t do it justice. I didn’t broil (baked at 425° until thermometer was at 160°) because my oven won’t let me use the thermometer accessory on broil. Boyfriend said this is one to keep!

notmyforte

06/02/2021 12:37:28 AM

This was easy to prepare, juicy and flavorful. I loved the texture of the broiled onions. I pounded the chicken breasts to make the thickness a little more even for cooking, and followed the directions as written.

Eugenia Brown

07/07/2020 12:14:05 AM

yes i added 2 more breast of chicken for four and doubled up on ingrediants

Janet Gomez

03/21/2025 03:00:29 PM

My guests were so impressed.

Robert Lewis

02/26/2025 03:21:33 AM

Lowkey can’t believe I made this.

Craig

05/07/2021 01:32:37 AM

The flavor is subtle with the seasoning measures mentioned. I would add rosemary or increase the lemon pepper and add cayenne.

Mayreeg

02/27/2021 02:00:04 AM

Very tasty.

shayshay

02/21/2021 10:00:05 PM

it is so good and the lemon pepper really top the flavor off

aaryesdee

10/26/2020 07:46:53 AM

It's indeed easy to make and I'm sure it's delicious too.

Michelle

10/05/2020 09:40:01 PM

The recipe was perfect and my family loved the flavor on the chicken, thanks for the great recipe!!

Brandi Reeves Greenberg

07/16/2020 04:11:43 PM

It was ok. It needed something more. Made exactly like the recipe. but I would not make again.

Jenny Westfall

06/11/2020 11:50:24 PM

This was so flavorful! I didn’t use garlic, oil or onion, but I also made it on the grill.