Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken is a rich and flavorful main course featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection in a creamy lemon Parmesan sauce. This easy stovetop recipe combines garlic, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning for a tangy, comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper to ensure even flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any browned bits for extra flavor. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to slightly reduce.
- Add Lemon and Seasoning: Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Mix well to combine the bright, tangy flavors.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Pour in heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and cook for 2 to 3 more minutes until the sauce is creamy and has thickened slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let it simmer together for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top and add lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately with your choice of rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- For an extra crispy texture, lightly flour the chicken before searing.
- This recipe also works well with chicken thighs if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste for a more or less tangy sauce.
