Zesty Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken Recipe: Creamy Delight
Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this lemon garlic skillet chicken delivers pure magic in under 30 minutes.
Zesty citrus notes dance with rich, velvety garlic sauce, creating a mouthwatering dish that instantly wakes up tired taste buds.
Tender chicken breasts soak up every drop of the incredible sauce, turning an ordinary meal into a restaurant-worthy experience.
Each forkful promises a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
The skillet method ensures a golden, crispy exterior while keeping the meat incredibly juicy and succulent.
Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this recipe a weeknight warrior for busy cooks seeking maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Serve this skillet sensation over rice or with a crisp salad for a complete, satisfying meal that’ll become your new dinner favorite.
Kitchen Tools for Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken
How to Make Skillet Chicken with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Pat chicken completely dry and add generous seasoning with salt and pepper.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until deep golden brown on both sides, creating a beautiful caramelized exterior. Remove chicken and set aside.
Lower heat and melt butter. Sauté shallots and garlic until they become fragrant and slightly soft. Sprinkle flour and coat ingredients evenly, creating a base for a rich sauce.
Pour half-and-half and broth into the skillet, whisking to eliminate any flour lumps. Scrape up delicious browned bits from pan bottom. Allow sauce to simmer and thicken naturally.
Return chicken to the skillet, letting it gently cook in the creamy sauce. Add fresh lemon juice for brightness. Finish by garnishing with chopped parsley and delicate lemon slices. Serve immediately while sauce is warm and silky.
Adjustments to Enhance Flavor
Serving This Chicken Skillet Dish
Helpful Storage Ideas for Creamy Lemon Chicken
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 432 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients to Prep Creamy Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken
For The Protein:For The Sauce Base:For The Finishing Touches: Print
Silky Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Succulent lemon garlic skillet chicken blends Mediterranean flavors with simple ingredients for a quick weeknight dinner. Creamy sauce and tender chicken make this dish a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (907 g/2 lbs), pounded to 1.3 cm/0.5-in thickness
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 cup half-and-half or whole milk
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 medium lemon, juice (45 ml/3 tbsps)
- ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 small lemon, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Thoroughly dry chicken pieces with paper towels, then generously season with salt and pepper.
- Searing Stage: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place chicken in the pan, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust for 6-7 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a clean plate.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce skillet heat to medium, melt butter, and sauté shallots and garlic until translucent and fragrant. Dust with flour, stirring to create a smooth base and toasting for one minute to eliminate raw flour flavor.
- Sauce Development: Slowly whisk half-and-half and broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits to maximize sauce depth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer, returning chicken to the pan to cook through and allow sauce to thicken.
- Finishing Touches: Brighten the sauce with fresh lemon juice, creating a vibrant flavor profile. Garnish with chopped parsley and delicate lemon slices, serving immediately to preserve the sauce’s creamy texture and warmth.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly pat chicken dry to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Heat Control: Maintain medium-high heat for perfect chicken browning, creating a flavorful crust without burning.
- Flour Technique: Toast flour mixture briefly to eliminate raw taste and develop a rich, nutty background flavor.
- Sauce Smoothness: Whisk continuously while adding liquids to prevent lumps and create a silky, consistent sauce texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 432
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 434 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
Mia Reynolds
Food Writer & Home Cooking Specialist
Expertise
Easy Home Baking, Recipe Writing and Storytelling, Local and Seasonal Ingredients, Baking for Beginners
Education
New England Culinary Institute (NECI), Montpelier, Vermont
Community College of Vermont, Winooski, Vermont
Mia Reynolds fell in love with baking as a teenager experimenting in her family kitchen. Her passion took her to New England Culinary Institute, where she learned practical pastry techniques, and later to Community College of Vermont to deepen her understanding of food management.
Mia combines clear, simple baking instructions with heartwarming stories, making home baking approachable for everyone.