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Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy Lemon Chicken
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Creamy Lemon Chicken is a bright and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. This quick and simple recipe balances tangy citrus with rich creaminess, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. The dish offers versatility with various ingredient substitutions and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional but recommended)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Fresh Herbs & Garnishes

  • 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley, thyme, or basil (or a combination)
  • Thin lemon slices or zest curls for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder to build flavor.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Make the Lemon Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and add lemon zest. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, and let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Keep the heat low to prevent curdling.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy lemon sauce over the chicken and let everything simmer together for a few minutes to meld flavors and finish cooking the chicken fully.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs over the chicken and sauce. Add an extra squeeze of lemon if desired and garnish with lemon slices or zest curls for presentation. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Don’t skip drying the chicken to ensure a perfect golden crust when searing.
  • Always use fresh lemons for juice and zest to get the brightest lemon flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to avoid curdling the cream.
  • Rest cooked chicken for a few minutes before serving to maintain juiciness.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by adding chicken broth or water if too thick, or simmer longer if too thin.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon chicken, lemon chicken recipe, chicken with lemon cream sauce, easy lemon chicken, weeknight chicken dinner, creamy chicken dinner, gluten free chicken recipe

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/creamy-lemon-chicken/