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
Scale
- 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