Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken is a quick, healthy, and flavorful dish featuring tender boneless skinless chicken breasts simmered in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe balances tangy citrus freshness with comforting smoothness, creating a versatile meal that pairs wonderfully with pasta, vegetables, or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauté Base
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to ensure flavorful, evenly cooked meat and help create a deliciously browned crust during cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside to lock in juices and build base flavor.
- Make the Lemon Cream Sauce: Reduce heat slightly in the same skillet and add minced garlic. Sauté briefly until fragrant, then pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and add lemon zest, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes silky smooth, balancing tart lemon with rich creaminess.
- Combine and Finish: Return the chicken breasts to the pan, spooning sauce over each piece. Let everything cook together for a few minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme before serving.
Notes
- Let chicken sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Cook chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh lemons for the best bright, natural citrus flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid boiling the cream too hard, which can cause curdling.
- Allow chicken to rest a few minutes after cooking for juicier, tender results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg