Description
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken is a vibrant, comforting dish that combines the bright tang of lemon with the warmth of garlic in a luxurious creamy sauce. It’s simple to make yet impressive enough for guests, making it a perfect addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- heavy cream
- fresh lemon (juice and zest)
- fresh minced garlic (4-6 cloves)
- chicken broth
- olive oil
- butter
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- dried Italian seasoning
- fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts (or thighs) thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of dried Italian seasoning.
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and a pat of butter. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, place the chicken into the skillet, searing for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate, covering loosely with foil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. If there's not much fat left in the pan, add another small pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté gently for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in about ¾ cup of chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let this simmer for a minute or two to reduce slightly.
- Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, the fresh lemon juice (starting with about 2 tablespoons), and the lemon zest. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, and let it cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Carefully place the seared chicken back into the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Let it simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes to absorb some of the sauce and warm through completely.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or chives before serving hot.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for even cooking. Pat dry before searing for a better crust. Taste the sauce before adding chicken back in to adjust seasoning as needed.