Description
Easy Lemon Chicken is a juicy and flavorful dish made with chicken breasts, fresh lemon, garlic, and butter, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/3 cup)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5–7 minutes until golden brown. Flip and add butter. Cook for another 5–7 minutes until fully cooked through (165°F/75°C internal temperature).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in lemon juice and scrape up any brown bits from the skillet. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in lemon zest and thyme (if using).
- Return the chicken to the skillet and toss gently in the lemon sauce. Let it sit in the sauce for a couple of minutes over low heat to absorb the flavors.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with your choice of sides.
Notes
- For added flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice and herbs for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- To avoid overcooking, use a meat thermometer to check the chicken’s internal temperature.
- Serve with rice, vegetables, or a salad for a complete meal.
- If the sauce is too sour, balance it with a pinch of sugar or honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Easy Lemon Chicken, lemon chicken recipe, garlic lemon chicken, healthy lemon chicken, quick chicken recipes, lemon chicken dinner