Description
Need an easy dinner idea that tastes like it came straight from a bistro kitchen? This Lemon Garlic Chicken is golden, juicy, and bursting with zesty flavor. Perfect for quick dinners, this one-skillet recipe features lean chicken breasts simmered in a rich lemon-garlic sauce with herbs and butter. It’s quick to cook and pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or your favorite veggies. Whether you’re hunting for easy dinner ideas, weeknight food inspiration, or healthy meal options—this dish delivers big on taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat chicken breasts dry and pound slightly for even cooking. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden and nearly cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. Lower heat and add more olive oil if needed. Sauté garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Stir and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
5. Return chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over top and cover. Simmer on low for 6-8 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
6. Turn off heat, stir in butter until melted, and sprinkle parsley over the top before serving.
Notes
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking and prevents drying out.
Fresh lemon juice is key—bottled won’t give the same brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0.7g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: easy recipe, healthy chicken, lemon chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meal