Description
Make restaurant-quality creamy lemon chicken quickly in one skillet. This recipe features tender chicken breasts in a bright, rich lemon cream sauce perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 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
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet 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 aside on a plate.
4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
6. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
7. 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.
8. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let the chicken warm through for 1-2 minutes.
9. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving immediately over pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup of fresh spinach to the sauce when you add the heavy cream.
If you prefer a tangier sauce, add 1 teaspoon of capers along with the garlic.
This dish pairs well with cooked linguine or steamed asparagus.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 42