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30-Minute Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet

A golden-brown chicken breast smothered in a rich, creamy lemon sauce and topped with fresh parsley.

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Make restaurant-quality creamy lemon chicken fast. This one-pan skillet recipe uses simple ingredients to create a rich, zesty sauce perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  7. Reduce the heat to low and gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
  9. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to heat the chicken through. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Serve this zesty chicken dish over pasta, rice, or alongside steamed asparagus for a complete meal.
  • If you are interested in structured eating, this recipe fits well with general meal planning strategies.
  • For a richer sauce, you can substitute half of the chicken broth with white wine.

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