30-Minute Creamy Lemon Chicken

This easy lemon chicken recipe is the perfect one-pan dinner. Tender, sauteed chicken is smothered in a creamy lemon sauce made from pan drippings, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a deliciously fresh dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes!

 

Easy Lemon Chicken Recipe

• This lemon chicken is a showstopper! The creamy lemon sauce is loaded with fresh lemon flavor while still being luxuriously creamy. It’s the perfect balance of rich and bright. And the best part is it’s made with a handful of super simple ingredients!
• It’s a one-pan dinner your whole family will love! Whether you’re hosting friends over the weekend or just throwing together a quick family dinner, this lemon chicken recipe is a crowd favorite.

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Chicken

• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is my favorite for this lemon chicken recipe but you could also use chicken thighs – just keep in mind they’ll need longer to cook.
• Herbs & Spices: Italian seasoning and garlic powder are my two favorites for this lemon chicken. Feel free to add your favorite dried herbs or spices. Dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried rosemary are also delicious.
• Butter & Oil: I like to saute the chicken in olive oil for a good sear and crust. Then I prefer to make the cream sauce with butter for flavor.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds tons of flavor. You can use jarred minced garlic or garlic paste in a pinch!
• Flour: All-purpose flour works best to thicken the creamy lemon sauce.
• Lemon Zest & Juice: Lemon zest and juice are unsurprisingly the stars of the show in this creamy lemon chicken recipe. The combination of juice and zest adds the most delicious, fresh lemon flavor!
• Chicken Broth: Chicken broth thins the sauce while adding flavor. Feel free to use veggie broth in its place.
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is the base for the creamy lemon sauce. Half and half will work in a pinch, but the sauce will be thinner.
• Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a delicious nutty flavor and thickens the sauce. Shred your own wedge of Parmesan so that it melts easily into the sauce.

How to Make Lemon Chicken at Home

Slice chicken in half lengthwise, creating 4 thinner pieces of chicken. Season chicken on all sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Cook chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side until a golden brown crust forms on the outside and the chicken is cooked through.

Saute garlic in butter, then add flour and cook.

Deglaze the pan with lemon juice and chicken broth. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens. Stir drippings from the chicken into the sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nestle cooked chicken into the sauce and cook it for about one minute or until it’s heated through. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Tips for Making the Best Creamy Lemon Chicken

• Season moderately throughout! Be sure to add ample salt and pepper throughout the cooking process. The ingredient list in this recipe is short and simple, so salt and pepper go a long way in boosting the flavors.
• Pay attention to the heat! Cooking the chicken over medium-high heat will give it a delicious crust that creates the base for the cream sauce. But be sure to turn the heat down when making the sauce so the garlic doesn’t burn and the sauce can thicken slowly!
• Switch up the flavors! Feel free to add your favorites to this lemon chicken recipe. I like to add capers or fresh herbs when I have them on hand.

Making Lemon Chicken Ahead of Time

This chicken with lemon cream sauce is the perfect make-ahead meal! It will stay fresh in the fridge all week and it’s super easy to reheat. It’s perfect for meal prep or just an easy way to get ahead on dinners for the week.

Storing Leftover Lemon Chicken

Store leftover lemon chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezing Lemon Chicken

Freeze leftover lemon chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Reheating Lemon Chicken

Reheat lemon chicken and cream sauce in a saute pan over medium heat. Plan to add a splash of heavy cream or broth to loosen up the sauce. Heat until chicken and sauce are warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Serve Lemon Chicken With

• air fryer asparagus
• air fryer green beans
• air fryer zucchini
• air fryer baked potatoes
• instant pot baked potatoes
• air fryer potato wedges
• roasted baby potatoes
• baked Greek potato wedges

Try these easy chicken recipes next!

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