Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus

## Step-by-Step Recipe: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus

Now that we know the health benefits and appeal of this dish, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making **Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Asparagus**. This recipe serves 4 people and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook.

### Ingredients:

– **4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts**
– **2 tbsp olive oil**
– **4 tbsp butter** (divided)
– **4 cloves garlic**, minced
– **1 bunch asparagus**, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
– **Juice of 1 lemon** (plus lemon wedges for serving)
– **Zest of 1 lemon**
– **1 tsp dried thyme** (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped)
– **Salt and pepper**, to taste
– **1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes** (optional, for a little spice)
– **Fresh parsley**, chopped (for garnish)

### Instructions:

#### Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. **Season the chicken**: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This will help them sear better and prevent excess moisture during cooking. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with **salt**, **pepper**, and **dried thyme**.

2. **Heat the pan**: In a large skillet, heat **2 tablespoons of olive oil** over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat up until it shimmers but isn’t smoking.

3. **Cook the chicken**: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet, cooking them for **5-6 minutes per side** until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C). Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside.

#### Step 2: Sauté the Garlic and Asparagus

4. **Cook the garlic**: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add **2 tablespoons of butter** to the pan. Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and cook for **1 minute**, stirring constantly to avoid burning. The garlic should become fragrant but not browned.

5. **Sauté the asparagus**: Add the **asparagus** to the skillet and toss it with the garlic and butter. Season with **salt** and **pepper** to taste. Sauté for about **3-4 minutes** until the asparagus is tender but still vibrant green. If you prefer your asparagus more tender, you can cook it for an additional 2 minutes.

#### Step 3: Add the Lemon Butter Sauce

6. **Add the remaining butter**: Push the asparagus to the side of the skillet to make room for the remaining **2 tablespoons of butter**. Allow the butter to melt and coat the pan.

7. **Add the lemon juice and zest**: Squeeze the juice of **1 lemon** into the skillet, then add the **lemon zest**. Stir the butter and lemon juice together to create a simple sauce. If you like a little heat, you can also add **crushed red pepper flakes** at this stage.

8. **Combine the chicken with the sauce**: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them on top of the asparagus. Spoon some of the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken, then let everything simmer together for about **2-3 minutes** to allow the flavors to meld.

#### Step 4: Garnish and Serve

9. **Garnish**: Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the chicken and asparagus with **fresh parsley** for added color and flavor. Serve the dish with **lemon wedges** on the side for an extra burst of citrus.

10. **Serve**: Plate the chicken and asparagus, spooning some of the garlic butter sauce over the top. Serve with your favorite side dishes, such as rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

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