Dinner Recipes

Full main courses built on lemon: roasted chicken, seared fish, pasta, and vegetable dishes with enough substance to be the center of the table. Lemon is used to lift richness and finish sauces, not to overwhelm them.

For faster options, see the weeknight and 30-minute collections.

Plate of crispy battered chicken pieces glazed in glossy lemon sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions

35 min

Maindinner

Chinese-Style Lemon Chicken

A plate of thinly pounded chicken breast cutlets in a glossy pale yellow lemon-caper sauce, fresh parsley sprinkled on top, a lemon wedge on the side

25 min

Savory Mains30-minute

Lemon Chicken Piccata

A skillet of crispy orange chicken pieces glazed in a glossy orange sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced scallions

35 min

Savory Mainsdinner

Orange Chicken (Better Than Takeout)

Guides to go with these recipes

Small bowls of lime wedges, white vinegar, and citric acid powder arranged as lemon juice substitute options

Best Lemon Juice Substitutes for Baking and Cooking

Close-up of a microplane grater zesting a bright yellow lemon over a small bowl of fine lemon zest

How to Zest a Lemon: 5 Easy Ways

Questions about dinner recipes

How do I stop lemon chicken from turning bitter?

Avoid cooking lemon pith for a long time and add most of the juice and zest near the end of cooking.

What sides go with lemon mains?

Roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes, and simple green salads all pair well.

Can I prep dinner ahead?

Marinades, sauces, and chopped vegetables can be prepared earlier in the day. See the make-ahead collection.