Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe is moist, succulent and the most pleasure bursting, flavorful chicken! This simple copycat recipe will bring the delicious restaurant wars chicken to your table in minutes, its an easy family dinner for any night of the week.

And my honey golden brown Bob Evan’s lemon garlic chicken complete with lemon slices and herbs.
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This Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Copycat Recipe brings the fresh, tangy flavors of ordering eat restaurant chicken home!

Juicy, succulent chicken is marinated in tangy lemon and savory garlic to create a perfectly balanced meal that’s great for weeknight meals or fancy enough for entertaining.

Serve alongside roasted vegetables, rice or fresh salad for a delicious family meal that’s easy to prepare and everyone will love.

Close up of Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe in the air fryer basket.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Moist, succulent chicken with zingy lemon and garlic taste.
  • Quick and simple with easy pantry ingredients.
  • Fast weeknight supper in less than 30 minutes.
  • Versatile meal—great with rice, veg or pasta.
  • Restaurant taste, copycat and more without leaving your house.

Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Ingredients

Ingredients needed for Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe on kitchen table.
  • Chicken breasts – Boneless skinless which is ideal for tender, juicy chicken.
  • Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed to add a pop of zest.
  • Garlic cloves – Minced cloves to bring the savory essence of garlic.
  • Olive oil – For richness and to help chicken brown all over.
  • Salt – To bring out the flavors and balance everything together.
  • Black pepper – Adds some spiciness and goes perfectly with lemon garlic.
  • Thyme or Dill – Brings in the earthy aroma and taste for an old world flavoring.

How To Make Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken

Prepare the marinade: To give chicken that tangy lemon flavor, and minced garlic with olive oil is poured over it.

Step 1: Use paper towels to pat the chicken breasts dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper and a dash of dried thyme.

Step 2: In a small bowl, blend lemon juice, minced garlic and olive oil. Pour over the chicken and allow to marinate (for the most flavor) 10-15 minutes.

Air Fry the Chicken: Chicken breasts air frying in the air fryer until golden and cooked all the way through.

Step 3: Set your air fryer to cook for 3–5 minutes at the maximum temperature of 375°F (190°C).

Step 4: Spread the marinated chicken breasts in the air fryer, also on one layer. Bake 12-15 minutes, turning the chicken pieces over halfway through cooking time, until it reads 165 degrees internal temp with a meat thermometer.

Step 5: Add additional richness by melting a small pat of butter and letting it drizzle over the cooked chicken. Serve it hot with your your favorite sides roasted veggies, rice and or a crisp green salad! Add lemon slices or fresh herbs for garnish if you like.

Optional butter finish Melted butter drizzled over cooked chicken adds an extra touch of richness.

Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe Tips

  • Marinate for a short time, but do it right — It doesn’t take long for acid in the marinade to break down the chicken in a bad way, but 10–15 minutes of marinating will get you that tender and delicious chicken you’re craving.
  • Wipe the chicken dry to give it a crispier crust in the air fryer.
  • To ensure even cooking and browning, do not crowd the air fryer basket.
  • Do use fresh lemon juice for the brightest most true flavor.
  • Smooth, rich and glossy restaurant-quality finish is optional with a slather of butter.
  • Check internal temperature – chicken is cooked at 165°F for both safety and juiciness.

Storing, Freezing & Reheating Instructions

  • Storing: Keep leftover chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days so it stays fresh and delicious.
  • Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken in a zipper-lock bag or sealed container for up to 2 months; label with the date for comparison measures.
  • Reheating: The patties can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes or in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to keep it juicy and flavor.
Close up of Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe in the air fryer basket.

Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe Faqs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs are fine and keep extra juicy. Cooking time may need to be varied slightly.

Do I have to use an air fryer? No—you can bake at 375°F for approximately 20-25 minutes or stove top pan-sear until cooked through.

How long do I marinate the chicken for? 10-15 minutes is long enough to impart some lemon and garlic flavor without turning the chicken to mush.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance? Yes, you can marinate and refrigerate them for a few hours. If you can, cook it right before serving.

What to serve with this chicken? Roasted veggies, rice, quinoa or fresh green salad are great sides to zoodle stir fry.

How can I tell when it’s done? Use a meat thermometer — the internal temperature needs to be at least 165F for safe eating.

Can I add other spices or herbs? Absolutely! Fresh parsley or rosemary and oregano can add some zing, too.

More Copycat Bob Evan’s Recipe

Bob Evans Sausage & Egg Breakfast Bowls Recipe

Bob Evan’s Pot Roast Recipe

Copycat Bob Evans Colonial Dressing Recipe

Bob Evans Style Buttermilk Biscuits

Bob Evans Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Bob Evan’s Mushroom and Onion Chopped Steak Recipe

Bob Evans Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Bob Evan’s Potato Recipe

Bob Evan’s Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders Recipe

Bob Evan’s Country-Fried Steak Recipe

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Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken

Bob Evan’s Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

If you love the delicious flavor of restaurant chicken at home, then you’re going to love this recipe! Not a fan of bland, boring chicken breast? Juicy and tender chicken with tangy lemon and savory garlic makes the perfect flavor combination for quick & easy weeknight meals or special weekend dinners!

Ingredients 

  • 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, roughly 1½ pounds
  • ¼ cup lemon juice ,
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper ,
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme , or dill
  • 1 tbsp butter, optional

Instructions

  • Dry the 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts with paper towels. Add 1 teaspoon salt to taste, 1 teaspoon dried thyme and s½ teaspoon black pepper .
  • Combine ¼ cup lemon juice , minced 4 cloves garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Pour over chicken and allow to marinate 10–15 minutes for best flavor.
  • Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  • Arrange the marinated chicken breasts in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping over halfway through it cooking time until cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • Add 1 tbsp butter on the cooked chicken after brushing with the sauce for even more richness.
  • Serve steaming hot with your choice of sides, roasted vegetables or rice or a salad. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh herbs, if desired.

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 12gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 469mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 83IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

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