Quick & Tasty Lemon Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

Zesty lemon chicken tantalizes taste buds with its bright, vibrant flavors that craft ordinary poultry into a culinary delight.

Mediterranean cuisine embraces this delectable dish, celebrating the harmonious blend of citrusy tang and succulent meat.

Tender chicken breasts absorb the robust marinade, promising a mouthwatering experience that elevates home cooking.

Fragrant herbs and fresh ingredients work together, creating a symphony of taste that dances across your palate.

Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe balances classic techniques with modern culinary creativity.

Each bite promises a burst of sunshine-infused flavor that transports you to coastal kitchens.

Weeknight dinners will never be the same after mastering this elegant and approachable recipe.

Bright Flavors in Lemon Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce

• Elevate Your Weeknight Dinner: This lemon chicken recipe transforms a simple protein into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal effort, making gourmet cooking accessible for home chefs.
• Burst of Bright Flavor: The tangy lemon butter sauce cuts through the richness of the chicken, creating a vibrant and balanced dish that awakens your taste buds with every bite.
• Master Easy Technique: The method of butterflying and pounding chicken ensures even cooking and a crispy Parmesan coating, helping home cooks develop professional-level culinary skills quickly and confidently.
• Quick and Impressive Meal: From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to surprise guests with a delicious, elegant meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Lemon Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce

Main Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and uniform in size for even cooking.

Eggs: Binding agent for breading, helping Parmesan coating stick to chicken.

Parmesan Cheese: Provides crispy, flavorful coating with a rich, nutty taste.

Breading and Coating Ingredients:

Olive Oil: Used for pan-frying chicken, adds subtle flavor and helps achieve golden crust.

Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy exterior for chicken, enhancing texture and flavor.

Sauce and Flavor Ingredients:

Butter: Adds richness and creates smooth base for lemon sauce.

Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and complementary flavor to chicken.

Chicken Broth: Adds depth and liquid volume to sauce.

Lemon Juice: Brings bright, tangy flavor and helps tenderize chicken.

Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and enhances overall seasoning.

Garnish Ingredients:

Lemon Slices: Fresh garnish that adds visual appeal and extra citrus flavor.

Parsley: Optional herb that provides fresh, green accent to the dish.

How to Cook Lemon Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner pieces. Use a meat mallet to flatten each piece evenly to ensure consistent cooking.

Step 2: Create Egg and Breading Stations

• Eggs
• Milk (optional)
• Salt
• Pepper

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Breadcrumbs
• Dried herbs
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Coat Chicken

Dip each chicken piece first into egg mixture, ensuring full coverage. Immediately transfer to Parmesan breading mixture, pressing gently to create a complete coating.

Step 4: Cook Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Adjust heat to prevent burning.

Step 5: Craft Lemon Butter Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Fresh lemon juice
• Cracked black pepper

Simmer sauce for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Drizzle warm lemon butter sauce over cooked chicken. Optional garnishes include fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley.

Tips for Lemon Chicken Perfection

• Slice Smart: Cut chicken breasts precisely and evenly to ensure uniform cooking and tender results.
• Flatten Perfectly: Use a meat mallet with gentle, consistent pressure to create an even thickness that guarantees balanced cooking.
• Breading Technique: Shake off excess egg mixture before coating with Parmesan to prevent clumping and achieve a crispy, light exterior.
• Heat Control: Maintain medium heat and watch carefully to develop a golden-brown crust without burning the chicken.
• Sauce Timing: Prepare the lemon butter sauce just before serving to capture maximum flavor and maintain its silky, fresh consistency.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Lemon Chicken

• Store your leftover lemon chicken carefully to maintain its delicious flavor and texture. Refrigerate in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping the chicken and sauce separate to prevent sogginess. Properly stored chicken will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat gently to preserve moisture and prevent drying out. Warm individual portions in the microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stopping to check temperature midway. Alternatively, reheat in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore juiciness and prevent the meat from becoming tough.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as the delicate lemon butter sauce may separate and lose its creamy consistency when thawed. Fresh is always best for maintaining the vibrant flavors of this lemon chicken recipe.

What Goes Well with Lemon Butter Chicken

• Zesty Wine Companion: Pair this bright lemon chicken with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light white wines complement the citrusy notes and cut through the richness of the butter sauce.
• Fresh Side Kick: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette. These fresh vegetable sides balance the richness of the chicken and enhance the lemony flavor profile.
• Starch Harmony: Wild rice pilaf or garlic roasted potatoes work perfectly with this dish. Their subtle flavors won't overpower the delicate lemon butter sauce while providing a satisfying accompaniment.
• Bread Buddy: Crusty sourdough or a warm ciabatta slice helps soak up the delicious sauce. The bread's texture and mild flavor create a wonderful contrast to the tangy, buttery chicken.

Fun Twists on Lemon Chicken with Butter Sauce

• Herb-Crusted Zest: Replace Parmesan with a blend of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired coating.
• Spicy Citrus Kick: Add red pepper flakes to the breading mixture and incorporate a dash of cayenne into the lemon butter sauce for a fiery flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs and include crumbled feta cheese in the breading for a richer, more robust taste experience.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of traditional breading to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty Mediterranean lemon chicken delights palates with its tangy, herb-infused charm. Quick and elegant, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor right from your kitchen, promising a memorable meal sure to impress dinner companions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts

Herbs and Spices:

• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 8 tablespoons (113 grams) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth

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Instructions

1. Carefully butterfly chicken breasts by slicing horizontally to create two even thinner cutlets. Gently pound each piece between plastic wrap to achieve uniform 1/4-inch (0.6 centimeters) thickness for consistent cooking.
2. Create an egg wash by whisking whole eggs thoroughly in a medium mixing bowl. In a separate shallow dish, combine grated Parmesan cheese, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper to form a crisp breading mixture.
3. Dredge each chicken cutlet first into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, then completely coat with the Parmesan breading mixture, pressing gently to ensure even coverage.
4. Warm olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Carefully place breaded chicken pieces into the pan, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
5. Prepare lemon butter sauce by melting unsalted butter in a small saucepan. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and ground black pepper, then simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
6. Transfer cooked chicken to serving plates, generously drizzle with warm lemon butter sauce. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley for added brightness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by slicing chicken breasts evenly and pounding to consistent thickness for uniform cooking.
• Create a crispy, golden exterior by dipping chicken in egg wash and then coating thoroughly with Parmesan breading mixture.
• Control skillet heat carefully to achieve perfect golden-brown crust without burning the delicate chicken.
• Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to retain juicy inner texture and prevent moisture loss.
• Develop rich sauce by simmering butter, garlic, broth, and lemon juice for maximum depth of flavor.
• Elevate presentation by garnishing with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley for a bright, restaurant-quality finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American-Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 260 kcal
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg