Description
Make this restaurant-style creamy lemon chicken in just 30 minutes! This easy one-pan recipe features juicy chicken breasts smothered in a bright, rich lemon cream sauce with garlic and Parmesan. It is perfect for satisfying weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (optional, for light coating)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, lightly dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy lemon sauce over the chicken.
- Simmer for 1-2 minutes to heat the chicken through. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving immediately over pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, add 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomatoes or a handful of fresh spinach to the sauce when you add the heavy cream.
- If you want a tangier sauce, increase the lemon juice by one tablespoon.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with angel hair pasta or fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious lemon cream sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 150