Name: 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 4 large boneless, skinless chicken; 2 garlic cloves, minced (divided); 1 tbsp honey; 1 lemon, juiced and zested (divided); 1 tbsp olive oil (for glaze); 1 salt and pepper (to taste); 1.5 pounds asparagus, trimmed; 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling); 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley leaves

Oh, goodness, some nights are just too long for a huge recipe, aren’t they? We all have those moments when the fridge looks a little empty, but you still want something that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Well, I’m Lilya Lawson, and I promise you, this 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken is my absolute go-to savior. It’s proof that when you trust just a handful of good things—like garlic, honey, and lemon—magic happens fast. This isn’t fussy cooking; this is honest, reliable food pulled straight from my family’s playbook in Asheville. If you want to read more about how I turned those old family methods into something reliable, you can check out my story over at Top Chicken Eats. It’s comforting, it’s nourishing, and it means less time stressing and more time enjoying dinner.

Why This 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken Works for Quick Dinner Ideas

I know what it’s like when you get home, you’re tired, and the thought of juggling five different pots is just too much. This recipe is designed to take the pressure off those busy nights. It’s my tried-and-true method that always delivers a flavorful result, which is why I trust it again and again for my family’s simple meals.

It’s perfect for those nights when you need a dependable weeknight dinner plan.
You get that deep, satisfying flavor you crave without needing a pantry stocked with fancy spices.
It’s shockingly easy to scale up or down, depending on how many mouths you need to feed.

Flavor Built from Minimal Ingredient Recipes

Don’t let the count fool you—this isn’t bland baked chicken, not by a long shot! We rely on that bright citrus from the lemon and the sweetness of the honey cutting through the savory roasted garlic. When these simple building blocks bake together, they create their own beautiful sauce right on the pan. It proves you don’t need heaps of stuff to achieve real depth. It’s all about knowing which few things play well together.

The One Pan Meals Advantage of 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken

Cleanup is almost as important as the taste, right? That’s the real beauty of this setup. Since the chicken and the asparagus cook together on one tray, you’ve got a whole dinner ready with almost no dishes piling up afterwards. You pop it in the oven, spend maybe 30 minutes prepping everything while it marinates, and then it’s just 30 minutes cooking time before you eat. It’s truly the definition of a one pan meal.

Gathering Ingredients for Your 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken

This is where we confirm that yes, this truly is a budget friendly recipe! For this meal, you don’t need to run to specialty stores. These are the sturdy, dependable ingredients I always have on hand. When you are working with just five main things—plus salt and pepper, of course—their quality really shines through. Make sure that lemon is nice and bright!

For the Chicken and Glaze

Here is your core list for building that beautiful flavor base:

4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 garlic cloves, minced (don’t use the jarred kind if you can help it!), and remember, we’re dividing this!
1 tablespoon honey (just the regular kind works great)
1 lemon, juiced and zested (we’re dividing the juice and zest between the glaze and the veggies)
1 tablespoon olive oil (this is just for the glaze itself)
Salt and pepper to taste (be generous here!)

For the Asparagus and Garnish

Now for the easy vegetable side that bakes right alongside the main event:

1.5 pounds asparagus, trimmed (snap the woody ends off—it’s easy!)
1 tablespoon olive oil (this is just for drizzling over the asparagus)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves (optional, but it makes it look so professional!)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken

Okay, pulling this together is so simple it feels like cheating. Remember, we are working smart, not hard, here in the kitchen! We’re using the oven’s high heat to give us that beautiful, slightly crispy, caramelized crust that we all love on baked chicken.

Preparing the Glaze and Marinating the Chicken

First things first, get that oven humming at 400ºF! Now, grab your shallow dish. We’re making our flavor punch here. Mix up half of that minced garlic, squeeze in half of your lemon juice, add a drizzle of that olive oil—remember, just one tablespoon for the glaze—and all of your tablespoon of honey. Stir it up until it looks like a slightly thick syrup. Take your chicken breasts, coat them really well in that mix, and say, “See you soon!” Let that sit while you put your feet up for 30 minutes. That little wait time does wonders!

Baking and Adding the Vegetables

Once the chicken has had its soak, move those lovely breasts onto your roasting tray. Pop them into that hot oven for a solid 20 minutes. When that timer goes off, pull the tray out carefully—it’ll be hot! Now, arrange your trimmed asparagus right around the chicken. Give the asparagus a light drizzle of its own olive oil, sprinkle on the rest of that chopped garlic, and season it all lightly with salt and pepper. Just toss it right there on the tray so everything gets coated evenly.

Finishing the 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken Under the Broiler

This last step is the secret weapon for the crust and getting those veggies tender-crisp. Switch your oven setting to broil on medium-high. Slide the tray back in—but don’t walk away! Broiling is fast. You only need about 10 minutes for that honey glaze to bubble up nicely and get beautifully caramelized, and for the asparagus tips to get just the right amount of char. After 10 minutes, pull it out, hit the asparagus with that leftover squeeze of lemon juice, maybe toss on some fresh parsley if you have it, and dinner is done! If you want to double-check your chicken for doneness, use an instant-read thermometer—it should hit 165ºF internally. For more oven roasting ideas, you can check out some of my other seasoned chicken recipes.

Tips for Success with Your 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken

I’ve made this delicious, simple chicken so many times that I know exactly where things can go sideways if you aren’t watching closely. Honestly, a recipe this short relies on us following a few small rules to make sure those five ingredients really sing. It’s all about treating the ingredients we have with respect. Trust me, these little pointers make the difference between a good meal and an absolutely fantastic one!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Easy Recipes

If you don’t have chicken breasts on hand, don’t panic! Chicken thighs work beautifully here, too. But, heads up, thighs have a little more fat and are generally thicker, so they need extra time to reach that safe 165ºF internal temperature. I usually add another 10 to 15 minutes to their cook time compared to breasts. They end up falling off the bone, which is just dreamy!

Now, about the honey. Sometimes I’m out, or maybe I’m just feeling adventurous! Maple syrup is a fantastic swap when you’re keeping things simple. It brings a slightly different, richer sweetness, but it works just as wonderfully with the lemon and garlic for this Minimal Ingredient Recipe. Just use a one-to-one ratio. It keeps the whole spirit of an Easy Recipe intact!

And remember that crucial safety step I mentioned? Always, always use a digital thermometer if you can. Poke it into the thickest part of the chicken after the full cook time. If it reads 165ºF, you know your 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken is safe, juicy, and ready to eat. Don’t rely just on color!

Serving Suggestions for This Simple Meal

Because this 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken is so straightforward, you need sides that match that low-effort vibe. We aren’t messing around with complicated sauces or stirring things constantly! The lemon-garlic sauce that builds up on the pan is incredible, so you want something simple nearby to soak it all up. If you’re trying to stick to that Quick Dinner Idea theme, I’ve got you covered.

I usually stick to quick starches. White rice cooks itself while the chicken roasts, or, if I’m feeling healthy, some fluffy quinoa works in a pinch. Steamed green beans are always a winner, or if you want to use your roasting tray for only the chicken, just toss some quick roasted sweet potatoes in a separate small dish. The key is keeping the side dishes under 30 minutes of hands-on time, leaving your hands free while the oven does the real work!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken

Oh, I hope you have leftovers because this honey-lemon flavor seems to get even better the next day! When you’re done eating, let any remaining chicken and asparagus cool just a bit. Then, you absolutely must tuck it into an airtight container. Don’t leave it just sitting on the counter—we want to keep this tasty chicken safe.

To reheat, forget the microwave if you can, because it tends to dry things out. Instead, pop the leftovers in a low oven, maybe around 325ºF, for about 10 minutes. If you’re in a real hurry, zap it in the microwave, but splash just a tiny bit of water over the chicken first. That little bit of steam keeps the glaze from turning cement-like and keeps your Simple Meal tasting fresh!

Frequently Asked Questions About 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken

When you simplify things this much, folks always have good questions about swaps and timing. That’s totally normal! I want you to feel confident making these Easy Recipes even if your pantry looks a little different from mine. These answers should help you turn this into a perfect Simple Meal, no matter what.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken?

Absolutely, you can! Chicken thighs are wonderful because they naturally stay juicier, which is a great backup in case you accidentally overcook them a hair. When you swap in bone-in, skin-on thighs, you need to give them an extra 10 to 15 minutes of baking time before you add the asparagus. They usually need a total cook time closer to 35 or 40 minutes before you switch to the broiler. Just check that internal temperature!

What if I don’t have a lemon? Can I still make these Easy Recipes?

Oh, honey, don’t let one missing lemon stop you! If you have those little orange bottles of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in the pantry, they work in a pinch. You won’t get that exact beautiful brightness, of course, but you still need that acid to cut through the richness of the honey glaze. Use about two teaspoons of white vinegar mixed with a tablespoon of water to substitute for the final squeeze of lemon juice on the asparagus. It keeps the recipe simple and effective.

Is this recipe truly Budget Friendly Recipes friendly?

Yes, I made sure of it! This is one of my core philosophies on Top Chicken Eats—great flavor doesn’t require expensive shopping trips. Chicken breasts, honey, lemon, garlic, and olive oil are staples that most people keep stocked. Asparagus can sometimes be pricier, but if you need to substitute it to keep costs down, green beans or broccoli florets work just as well when roasted alongside the chicken. It remains a great Budget Friendly Recipe no matter how you adjust the vegetable!

Estimated Nutritional Information for This Dish

Now, nobody wants to eat chicken while obsessing over numbers, but since this is such a straight-up meal with few ingredients, I figured I’d give you a general idea of what you’re looking at per serving. Remember, this is just an estimate based on standard boneless, skinless breasts. If you use fatty thighs or drench your asparagus in extra oil, those numbers will shift a bit! But for four people, this is a pretty balanced plate centered around healthy proteins and veggies.

Calories: Approximately 350–380 Calories
Fat: Around 14g (Mostly healthy fats from the olive oil)
Protein: A whopping 45–50g (That chicken really delivers!)
Carbohydrates: About 8g (Mostly from the honey and the asparagus)

See? Solid, good, honest food. This 5-Ingredient Baked Chicken keeps things light while still feeling super satisfying. It’s the perfect foundation if you wanted to add a side of rice or a quick salad later on!

Share Your Experience Making This Comforting Meal

Now that you’ve hopefully got a tray of that incredible, simple chicken resting on your counter, I’d absolutely love to hear what you thought! This recipe lives and breathes on the experiences you share with me. Did you use exactly five ingredients, or did you sneak in a little something extra? Did the broiler give you that perfect little char?

Please take a moment to leave a rating right here on the page—it helps other cooks know this reliable recipe is worth their time. And if you snap a picture of your beautiful golden chicken and your simple roasted asparagus, tag me on social media! Nothing makes me happier than seeing my food in your kitchen.

I’m Lilya Lawson, and from my home kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina, I hope this dish brought a little bit of comfort and ease to your table tonight. If you have any final questions or want to send me a note about how this became your new favorite weeknight dinner, I’m always reading and ready to chat!