Skillet chicken has juicy chicken breast, smothered in a lemon garlic cream sauce. Made all in one skillet for an easy clean-up and comes together in under 30 minutes.
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Lemon goes so perfectly with chicken and then add in some garlic and cream and you have a rich and creamy flavorful sauce.
Chicken dinners don't have to be boring this one has tons of flavor without all the fuss. The lemon butter sauce is so addicting and crazy delicious, that you'll want to grab some bread to slop up and leftovers.
Why this recipe works
This lemon chicken skillet dinner is a quick and easy one-pan meal that makes a perfect weeknight dinner. Using simple pantry ingredients this easy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. Serve with Mashed potatoes, white or brown rice, or on a bed of pasta, and my Roasted Parmesan Broccoli. Another easy weeknight meal that's always a huge hit is my Paprika Chicken and Rice Bake.
Ingredients needed
Ingredient notes
- Chicken breasts-boneless and skinless sliced horizontally and pounded out if needed.
- lemons-Fresh squeezed is always best, add in some lemon zest for a stronger lemon flavor.
- Chicken broth- You can use regular or low sodium.
- Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes-Adds a little kick but can be left out.
- Heavy Cream-Thickens the sauce milk cant be substituted.
- Butter- Use real butter either salted or unsalted works fine.
How to make this recipe
- Step 1-Slice chicken breast horizontally and pound chicken breast into thin chicken cutlets,
- Step 2- salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Step 2- Heat a large skillet with olive oil on medium-high heat.
- Step 3-Sear both sides of the chicken. Remove from pan.
- Step-5- Add the diced onions to the pan and saute.
- Step 6-Stir in the chicken stock.
- Step 7-Stir in the heavy cream and butter and simmer.
- Step 8-Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet.
Recipe tips
- You can add a tablespoon of honey for a touch of sweetness.
- Double the sauce if you want extra for pasta.
- Do NOT overcook the chicken breasts, use an instant-read thermometer to know when the chicken reaches 164 degrees.
- I like to use a large cast-iron skillet to be able to get a good sear on the chicken. To get some browned bits in the bottom of the pan for added flavor to the pan sauce.
Recipe faq's
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs would be delicious, but if they are really large more cooking time will have to be added. That's why it's important to use a digital meat thermometer to know when the meat reaches 164 degrees.
Most likely it's overcooked. Chicken breasts are a super lean cut of meat, therefore very easy to overcook. The best way to check the temperature is using a digital meat thermometer.
For a complete meal serve with some Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans with bacon.
Store this lemon butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, reheat in the microwave or on low in a skillet.
More easy chicken recipes
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Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce
Skillet chicken has juicy chicken breast, smothered in a lemon garlic cream sauce. Made all in one skillet for easy clean-up and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock freezer bag (or between two pieces of plastic wrap) and using a mallet or rolling pin pound the chicken until it's about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and chicken breasts and cook 2-3 minutes and flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Add red onion and saute for 2-3 minutes just until soft then add in the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds more. Whisk in the chicken broth, and cayenne pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes or until reduced by half.
- Whisk in the butter, and heavy cream and lemon juice whisk until combined. Add chicken breasts back in and simmer on low another 3-4 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley
Notes
Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead but they are thicker and will take longer to cook.
You can add a tablespoon of honey for a touch of sweetness.
Double the sauce if you want extra for pasta.
Do NOT overcook the chicken breasts, use an instant-read thermometer to know when the chicken reaches 164 degrees.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
4 ServingsAmount Per Serving Calories 400Total Fat 24gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 142mgSodium 680mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 39g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on butteryourbiscuit.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce
Skillet chicken has juicy chicken breast, smothered in a lemon garlic cream sauce. Made all in one skillet for easy clean-up and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock freezer bag (or between two pieces of plastic wrap) and using a mallet or rolling pin pound the chicken until it's about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add olive oil and chicken breasts and cook 2-3 minutes and flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Add red onion and saute for 2-3 minutes just until soft then add in the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds more. Whisk in the chicken broth, and cayenne pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes or until reduced by half.
- Whisk in the butter, and heavy cream and lemon juice whisk until combined. Add chicken breasts back in and simmer on low another 3-4 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley
Notes
Boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used instead but they are thicker and will take longer to cook.
You can add a tablespoon of honey for a touch of sweetness.
Double the sauce if you want extra for pasta.
Do NOT overcook the chicken breasts, use an instant-read thermometer to know when the chicken reaches 164 degrees.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
4 ServingsAmount Per Serving Calories 400Total Fat 24gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 142mgSodium 680mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 39g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on butteryourbiscuit.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Thank you Teri! It goes in after the heavy cream 🙂
It sounds very good. However, you do not list anywhere in the instructions when to add the Lemon Juice. Unless I am completely blind and missed it. I am sure I can figure it out, but I just wanted to let you know.😊