Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy Lemon Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce. It’s a perfect meal for weeknights or special occasions, combining zesty citrus with rich, velvety flavors.

Serve it over pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large skillet
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
   In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, whisking to combine.
4. Thicken the Sauce:
   Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine Chicken and Sauce:
   Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and simmer for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Serve:
   Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Nutrition (Per Serving – Serves 4)

• Calories: 420
• Protein: 38g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 1g

Expert Tips

• Chicken Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
• Sauce Consistency: For a thicker sauce, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water.
• Flavor Boost: Add a splash of white wine when sautéing the garlic.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and add extra juiciness.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Replace the heavy cream with coconut cream and omit the Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free version.

What sides go well with this dish?
Creamy Lemon Chicken pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, or a side of buttered noodles.

Storing & Reheating

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.

Substitutions & Variations

• Herbs: Add thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist.
• Spicy Kick: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
• Vegetables: Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or artichoke hearts to make it a one-pan meal.

Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy Lemon Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce.

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Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• - 1 tsp garlic powder
• - 1 tsp salt
• - 1/2 tsp black pepper
• - 2 tbsp olive oil
• - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• - 3 cloves garlic minced
• - 1 cup chicken broth
• - 1/2 cup heavy cream
• - 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• - 1 tsp lemon zest
• - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Equipment

• - Large skillet
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. **Prepare the Chicken:**
2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the mixture, shaking off any excess.
3. **Cook the Chicken:**
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
5. **Make the Sauce:**
6. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, whisking to combine.
7. **Thicken the Sauce:**
8. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
9. **Combine Chicken and Sauce:**
10. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and simmer for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
11. **Serve:**
12. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.