Baked Lemon Ginger Chicken

This Baked Lemon Ginger Chicken is juicy, flavorful, and super versatile.  The lemon ginger chicken marinade is perfect for boneless chicken breast, bone-in chicken, and chicken thighs.

You can also use the same marinade recipe if you want to grill your chicken. Serve with your favorite rice, potato, or veggie side dish for a healthy and flavorful meal that takes very little effort.

And if you need some ideas for sides, be sure to try this Asian Ginger Salad, Roasted Broccoli, or an easy rice pilaf.

Juicy Lemon Ginger Chicken

If you’re wondering how to get the best juicy baked chicken, this Lemon and Ginger Chicken is a great place to start. The ginger chicken marinade is so easy to make – it’s basically just throwing a few ingredients in with your chicken and baking whenever you’re ready. 

You can make this marinade 2-48 hours before you need to bake your chicken breasts.  You can marinate your chicken in a glass bowl, glass baking dish or in a gallon ziplock bag.

If you’re looking for more baked chicken marinade recipes, be sure to check out this Lemon Chicken Marinade, Rosemary Garlic Chicken Breast, 3 citrus Chicken Marinade, and one of my most popular recipes, Simple Oven Baked Chicken Breast.

Baked Lemon Chicken Ingredients   

• Lemon Juice– Good marinades call for some kind of acidic element- For this recipe, I like to use lemon juice.  White vinegar would be another good option. The acidity in the marinade will help break down the muscle fibers and tenderize the chicken.
• Ginger – you can use either ground ginger powder or fresh ginger root for this recipe. If you use ginger powder you will only need about 1/2 teaspoon. If you use fresh ginger root, cut a 2″ piece into small chunks.
• Salt and Pepper
• Soy Sauce– either regular soy sauce or low sodium will work great.
• Chicken Breasts–  It’s best to use chicken with the fat trimmed off.  If your chicken breast if thick, follow the steps the tenderize and flatten the thickest part of the chicken breast. You could also make this recipe with chicken thighs.

How to Make Oven Baked Lemon Ginger Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken. Spray a 9″ by 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, then remove the chicken breasts from the marinade and place them in the baking dish.
2. Bake chicken. Bake in the preheated 350 degree oven for 20-35 minutes, depending on how thick the chicken breasts are.  The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Broil. Remove from the oven and spoon the juices over the chicken breasts. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown.
4. Rest and serve. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips For Baking Chicken Breast

• Tenderize your chicken. It will really make a big difference when grilling your chicken.  It’s really easy to do and only takes a couple of minutes.  You can place the chicken between two sheets of parchment paper and whack it on the thickest part of the chicken breast with a rolling pin or mason jar You can also put it in a gallon ziplock bag and use the flat side of a meat tenderizer.  Don’t over-pound your meat.  A few good whacks will do the trick.  Just whack on the thickest part of the breast to help even it out.  Your chicken breast will cook a lot more evenly if the meat is a uniform thickness.
• Marinate your chicken. The high PH from vinegar or lemon juice helps break down the muscle fibers in the chicken and the oil will help keep it moist. 
• Don’t overcook your chicken.  The best way to assure you’re not overcooking your chicken is to use a digital meat thermometer.  Grill the chicken only until it reaches 165 degrees.
• Cook at a lower heat for longer to keep the chicken breast tender and juicy.
• When the chicken is done, keep it in the baking dish or place it on a platter with foil over it for 5 minutes to redistribute the juices and to keep the chicken warm and juicy. 
• Feel free to add your own touches such as a little fresh garlic to make a tasty Garlic Ginger Chicken.

Lemon Ginger Chicken Recipe Variations

If you find yourself in a rut and want to try even more variations of this recipe, here are a few ideas:

• Orange Ginger Chicken: Substitute orange juice and zest for the lemon in the marinade. Try different kinds of orange such as blood orange or cara cara orange.
• Sesame Ginger Chicken: Add toasted sesame oil and soy sauce to the marinade for an Asian-inspired variation. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the chicken before baking for added texture and nuttiness.
• Coconut Ginger Chicken: Mix coconut milk, lime juice, grated ginger, and a pinch of curry powder for an easy flavorful marinade.
• Pineapple Ginger Chicken: Add pineapple juice, grated ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar to the marinade for a tropical twist that also keeps the chicken super moist.
• Maple Ginger Chicken: Add maple syrup to the marinade for a warm and cozy flavor. The combination of maple syrup and ginger creates a sweet and spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here Are More Of The Best Chicken Recipes:

• Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken
• Garlic and Herb Drumsticks
• Grilled Apricot Chicken
• Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
• California Grilled Chicken Salad.
• Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
• Mediterranean Grilled Drumsticks
• More Chicken Recipes

and if you love ginger recipes be sure to try these…

• Lemon Ginger Honey Tea
• Gingerbread Men Cookies
• Gingerbread Cake

This Baked Lemon Chicken is a juicy baked chicken breast recipe.  It has the best chicken marinade recipe made with ginger, soy sauce, and lemon juice. It’s perfect for boneless chicken breast or baked bone-in chicken. It’s a healthy and naturally low-fat chicken breast recipe.