Zesty Lemon Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

Vibrant and zesty lemon chicken dances with bright, fresh flavors that instantly awaken your taste buds.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this simple yet elegant dish.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of tangy and savory notes.

Tender chicken breasts become magical when infused with citrusy brightness.

Crisp herbs and a silky butter sauce elevate this classic recipe to new culinary heights.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a meal that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

You’ll find this recipe becomes an instant favorite at your dinner table.

FAQs

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the chicken breast.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well in this recipe. Just ensure they are boneless and adjust cooking time slightly since thighs might take a bit longer to cook.

• What if I don't have heavy cream?

You can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be slightly less rich and creamy.

• Is it necessary to dredge the chicken in flour?

Dredging helps create a golden crust and thickens the sauce slightly, but you can skip this step if you prefer a lighter preparation.

What Makes Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce Bright

• Savor Quick Culinary Magic: Dive into a restaurant-quality dish that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal in mere minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving gourmet flavors.
• Master Flexible Cooking Technique: Learn an adaptable method that works brilliantly with chicken breasts, making it simple to adjust for different protein preferences or dietary needs.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delight family and guests with a creamy, tangy sauce that elevates classic chicken into a sophisticated yet familiar dinner everyone will love.
• Embrace One-Pan Convenience: Minimize kitchen cleanup with a streamlined recipe that uses the same skillet for cooking chicken and creating a rich, luxurious sauce, saving time and reducing dish washing.

Ingredients For Lemon Chicken With Butter Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the primary protein for this flavorful dish.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking surface and adds a subtle flavor to the chicken.
• Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base for the lemon sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that bring out the natural taste of the chicken.
• Flour: Helps create a light golden crust on the chicken and thickens the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the sauce.

• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and additional savory flavor to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, tangy acidity to balance the richness of the dish.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies the citrus flavor and adds a fresh, aromatic note.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, luxurious texture for the sauce.

• Parsley: Adds a fresh, green color and a light herbaceous flavor to finish the dish.

How To Cook Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Chicken For Cooking

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over chicken breasts. Dust the seasoned chicken with flour, gently tapping off any extra flour to create a light coating.

Step 2: Sear Chicken To Golden Perfection

Pour olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high temperature. Cook chicken until it develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior and is fully cooked through, spending about 5-6 minutes on each side.

Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Garlic Base

In the same skillet where chicken was cooked, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Sauté quickly until the garlic releases its delightful fragrance, which takes approximately one minute.

Step 4: Build Vibrant Sauce Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the skillet.

Add fresh lemon juice and grated lemon zest. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors blend and intensify.

Step 5: Finish With Creamy Texture

Incorporate heavy cream into the simmering sauce. Return the cooked chicken back to the skillet.

Let everything simmer together for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.

Step 6: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken.

Serve immediately while the dish is hot and sauce is smooth.

Tips For Juicy Lemon Chicken With Butter Sauce

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden exterior when cooking.
• Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest, most vibrant flavor in the sauce.
• Create a thicker sauce by letting it reduce longer or adding a small amount of cornstarch slurry.
• Check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe, perfectly cooked meat.
• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness to guarantee even cooking.

Flavorful Twists On Lemon Chicken With Butter Sauce

• Herb-Crusted Chicken Variant: Replace flour dredging with a mixture of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano for added flavor complexity.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond cream for a lighter, lactose-free sauce.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Skip the flour and use almond flour or crushed pork rinds for coating, maintaining low-carb requirements while keeping the dish's essence.
• Mediterranean Spin: Add capers and olives to the sauce for a tangy, briny Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that complements the lemon chicken.

What To Serve With Lemon Chicken And Butter Sauce

• Zesty Dinner Plate: Pair the lemon chicken with fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious butter sauce.
• Elegant Lunch Option: Slice the chicken and serve over a crisp mixed green salad with a drizzle of the lemon butter sauce as a light, refreshing dressing.
• Hearty Family Meal: Place the chicken alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like asparagus, carrots, or Brussels sprouts for a complete and nutritious dinner that everyone will enjoy.
• Gourmet Appetizer Twist: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve on small appetizer plates with toothpicks, perfect for a sophisticated party or gathering.

How To Keep Lemon Chicken With Butter Sauce Fresh

• Store leftover lemon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
• Separate the chicken and sauce into different containers to prevent soggy texture and preserve the sauce's consistency.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, ensuring proper sealing to prevent freezer burn.

Easy Lemon Chicken With Bright Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Greek-style lemon chicken with lemon butter sauce promises a Mediterranean culinary journey. Zesty citrus notes and herb-infused flavors invite diners to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cooking Fats and Cream:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Gently massage chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then delicately coat with a whisper-thin layer of flour, carefully tapping off any excess powder.
2. Ignite olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface. Sear chicken until it transforms into a golden-brown masterpiece and reaches complete doneness, approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a waiting plate.
3. Within the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing them to dance together for roughly 60 seconds until an aromatic fragrance emerges.
4. Pour chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest into the skillet. Encourage the mixture to simmer gently, reducing and concentrating flavors for 2-3 minutes.
5. Swirl heavy cream into the bubbling liquid, then carefully nestle the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Allow the sauce to embrace the chicken and thicken slightly, approximately 2-3 minutes.
6. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the surface as a verdant garnish, then serve the dish immediately while the sauce remains luxuriously warm and inviting.

Notes

• Flour coating helps create a crispy golden exterior while sealing in the chicken’s moisture, ensuring a delightful texture and flavor.
• Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest, most vibrant citrus taste that elevates the entire dish’s profile.
• Avoid overcooking chicken by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F, which guarantees juicy, tender meat without drying out.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter version that still maintains a creamy, luxurious sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 274 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg