Make a delicious dinner with just four ingredients! This 4‑Ingredient Boneless Chicken Breast Dinner is quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights. You’ll get the story, ingredient list, cooking steps, and answers to common questions—all with minimal prep.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
How Simplicity Sparked a New Favorite
One weeknight I opened my fridge and realized I only had chicken breasts, lemon, garlic, and olive oil. I didn’t want a hassle, so I tossed everything in a hot skillet. In under 20 minutes, we were eating juicy, lemon-garlic chicken with no cleanup stress. It quickly became our go-to when time is tight.
This dish is the same fuss-free kind of recipe you’ll find in our Easy Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken Breast (Crispy & Juicy!)—just even simpler.
Why Four Ingredients Are Enough
Sometimes, less is more. Here, just garlic, lemon, olive oil, and chicken work together to create a bright, savory dish. You get juicy chicken, bold garlic, and bright citrus—all in one skillet. It’s clean, satisfying flavor without extra fuss.
If you’re in the mood for a richer, flavor-packed version, check out our Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Breast (One‑Pan Magic!)—same cooking ease with more flavor layers.
Ingredients & Prep
Your 4‑Ingredient Checklist
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
This recipe is a minimalist version of our garlic-and-meat combo found in 5‑Ingredient Honey Garlic Chicken—but with fewer steps.
Prep for Quick Cooking
Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper if available. Mince garlic and juice the lemon. Have everything ready—once you start cooking, it moves fast.
Print
4‑Ingredient Boneless Chicken Breast Dinner
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
Description
A simple, delicious dinner made with just chicken breasts, garlic, olive oil, and lemon—ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.
- Cook chicken 5 minutes per side until golden.
- Add garlic around chicken and sauté 30 seconds.
- Pour lemon juice over chicken; simmer 1–2 minutes.
- Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve hot.
Notes
Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired. Skip garlic or lemon if unavailable—you’ll still have a tasty dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: 4 ingredient chicken, lemon garlic chicken, easy chicken dinner, quick chicken breast
How to Cook It Right
Sautéing chicken to juicy perfection
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Reduce heat to medium, add garlic around the edges, and sauté for 30 seconds.
Finishing with lemon
Pour lemon juice over the chicken, let it bubble for 1–2 minutes to infuse flavor. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let it finish cooking to 165°F internal temperature. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
For a more indulgent dinner, serve alongside our creamy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes—cook about 1–2 minutes longer per side until cooked through.
Can I add herbs?
Sure—fresh parsley or thyme work well if you want to enhance flavor.
Is garlic optional?
You can skip it, but it adds a lot of flavor with minimal effort.
How long do leftovers keep?
Store in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove to retain juiciness.
Conclusion
This 4‑Ingredient Boneless Chicken Breast Dinner shows that great flavor doesn’t need complexity. With garlic, lemon, olive oil, and chicken, you get a satisfying, healthy meal ready in under 20 minutes. Give it a try—you’ll wonder why you ever overcomplicated dinner.