Brighten up your dinner table with Lemon Chicken, featuring tender chicken breasts pan-seared until golden and coated in a sauce of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and butter. Simmered until glossy, this quick-cooking meal comes together in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that feels both light and satisfying.
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Table of Contents
Ingredients for Lemon Chicken
For the chicken
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless and skinless is the way to go here for quick, even cooking.
- All-Purpose Flour – Just a light coating to give the chicken a golden crust.
- Salt – Essential for bringing out all those bright lemon flavors.
- Black Pepper – Freshly cracked adds the best warmth.
For the sauce
- Olive Oil – A good glug to cook the chicken and build flavor in the pan.
- Garlic – Minced fresh for the most aromatic punch.
- Chicken Broth – Low-sodium lets you control the seasoning.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed, please! Bottled just isn’t the same.
- Lemon Zest – Don’t skip this—it’s where all the sunny fragrance lives.
- Butter – Unsalted and softened to melt into a silky sauce.
For finishing
- Parsley – Fresh and finely chopped for a pop of color and freshness.
Cook Time for Easy Lemon Chicken
One of the things I love most about this Lemon Chicken is how it fits perfectly into a busy evening. You can whip up this simple, flavorful Lemon Chicken dinner from start to finish in under 40 minutes. For more inspiration on quick and healthy meals, check out my easy grilled chicken breast recipe.
Here’s the full breakdown so you can get this pan-seared chicken with lemon butter sauce on the table in no time.
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
How to Make Lemon Chicken recipe
This method for a quick stovetop chicken in lemon glaze is a real weeknight lifesaver. It’s all about building layers of flavor right in one pan.
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating, then shake off any excess flour.
Step 2: Pan-Sear to Perfection
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, or until the exterior is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Create the Aromatics
Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Stir in the lemon zest and butter, cooking for 2–3 minutes while stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy. Return the chicken to the skillet, turning each piece to coat it evenly in the sauce. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to heat the chicken through.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the finely chopped parsley over the chicken. Serve immediately, spooning the lemon sauce over the top of each piece of chicken.
Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
Over the years, I’ve made this zesty baked chicken with broth more times than I can count, and I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Here’s how to make it your own.
Flavor Swap: For a different herb profile, try swapping the parsley for fresh thyme or rosemary. It gives this garlic and herb lemon chicken breasts a wonderfully earthy note that pairs beautifully with the lemon.
Diet Tweak: To make this dish a little lighter, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative. The sauce will still be wonderfully rich and silky.
Prep/Texture Fix: For an extra crispy exterior on your chicken, let the dredged chicken sit on a wire rack for 5 minutes before searing. This helps the flour coating adhere better.
Storage/Reheat Tip: Leftovers keep beautifully! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Gently reheat in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken broth or even a bit of lemon ginger tonic to keep the chicken moist. For another lemony treat the next day, try a scoop of lemon cherry sherbet for dessert!
Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Equipment
- skillet
- spatula
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits.
- Stir in the lemon zest and butter, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Return the chicken to the skillet, turning to coat it evenly in the sauce.
- Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the chopped parsley over the chicken. Serve immediately with the lemon sauce spooned over the top.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutrition and Health Benefits
This zesty baked chicken with broth isn’t just about incredible flavor; it’s also packed with wholesome goodness. I always feel good serving this to my family, knowing we’re getting a boost of lean protein and fresh ingredients.
Chicken breast is a fantastic source of lean protein, which helps keep you full and supports muscle health. Meanwhile, the fresh lemon juice provides a good dose of Vitamin C. For a deeper look at the benefits of citrus, you can read about the history of lemon chicken and its traditional uses.
Here’s a quick look at the nutritional profile per serving of this easy Lemon Chicken recipe. Remember, these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients used.
| Nutrient | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 |
| Protein | 36g |
| Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Fat | 16g |
To keep things light, I often pair this Lemon Chicken dinner with a fresh green salad. A refreshing green lemonade smoothie makes a wonderful companion drink that complements the meal perfectly. For another healthful citrus option, try my lemon chia fresca for a hydrating boost.
A Lighter Version of Easy Lemon Chicken
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a version of this pan-seared chicken with lemon butter sauce that feels a little lighter on the palate. It’s surprisingly simple to tweak this recipe for a healthier twist without losing any of that bright, satisfying flavor we love.
For a lower-fat option, you can replace the butter with a tablespoon of olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative. The sauce will still be wonderfully rich from the savory pan sauce with lemon zest and garlic. I also sometimes skip the flour coating altogether for a gluten-free version—the chicken still sears up beautifully and soaks up all the lemony goodness.
Another one of my favorite tweaks is to add more vegetables directly to the skillet. Sliced zucchini, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes cook quickly alongside the chicken and absorb the delicious sauce. For a delightful, light dessert to follow, my lemon cherry sorbet is always a hit. And if you’re looking for more weeknight chicken meals, my easy grilled chicken breast is another fantastic, lean option.
Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
In my kitchen, I believe good food should be accessible to everyone, no matter their dietary needs. I often cook for friends and family who are sugar conscious or managing their blood sugar, so I’ve learned a few simple ways to adapt this Lemon Chicken recipe to be more diabetic-friendly.
First, this recipe is naturally quite low in sugar, which is a great start. To make it even more sugar-free friendly, just be sure to use a low-sodium chicken broth with no added sugar. The lemons provide all the natural sweetness you need. For those using a natural sweetener like stevia in other dishes, this savory meal is a perfect main course that requires no adaptation.
Portion control is another key for glycemic control. I find that one chicken breast with a generous spoonful of sauce is a perfectly satisfying and blood sugar friendly portion. Serving it with non-starchy vegetables, like a big green salad or steamed broccoli, helps create a balanced, low glycemic index meal that feels both nourishing and indulgent.
How to Serve Lemon Chicken
This Lemon Chicken recipe always brings back memories of Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house. She had a way of turning a simple meal into a small celebration, often with a lemon tree right outside her kitchen door. I can still picture her squeezing fresh lemons into the pan, the scent filling the entire home with a sense of warmth and anticipation.
For a truly memorable Lemon Chicken dinner, I love to serve it family-style on a large platter. I spoon any extra garlic and herb lemon chicken breasts sauce right over the top and let everyone help themselves. It’s a wonderful centerpiece for a cozy weeknight meal.
When it comes to sides, you can’t go wrong with fluffy mashed potatoes or buttered noodles to soak up every bit of the quick stovetop chicken in lemon glaze. For a lighter touch, a simple arugula salad or roasted asparagus are my go-to choices. A glass of lemon ginger tonic pairs beautifully with the zesty flavors. And if you have room for dessert, a scoop of lemon coconut gelato is the perfect sweet ending.
Mistakes to Avoid
Over the years, I’ve learned a few lessons the hard way when making this Lemon Chicken recipe. Let me share the common pitfalls so your pan-seared chicken with lemon butter sauce turns out perfectly every time.
First, don’t overcrowd the skillet. I learned this lesson when cooking for a big family gathering—the chicken steamed instead of getting that beautiful golden sear we love. Give each piece enough space to breathe and develop that delicious crust.
Another mistake is cooking with cold chicken straight from the refrigerator. I always let my chicken sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook evenly and stay wonderfully juicy throughout.
Be careful not to burn the garlic in your savory pan sauce with lemon zest. Garlic cooks much faster than you might think! I add mine toward the end of cooking, just until it becomes fragrant. For more professional techniques, the NYT Cooking lemon pepper technique offers great insights on timing aromatics perfectly.
Lastly, don’t skip resting the chicken before slicing. I used to cut right into it, losing all those precious juices. Now I let it rest for 5 minutes—it makes all the difference in keeping your Lemon Chicken dinner moist and flavorful.
Remember, even when mistakes happen, the results are usually still delicious. Some of my favorite kitchen memories come from those imperfect meals shared with loved ones!
How to Store Lemon Chicken
I’ll never forget the time my grandmother taught me how to properly store leftovers. She believed that good food deserved careful handling, and her methods ensured we could enjoy her cooking for days afterward.
For storing your Lemon Chicken, let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to.
You can also freeze this dish for up to 2 months. I like to portion it into freezer-safe containers with some of the sauce—it thaws perfectly for a quick weeknight chicken meal when you’re short on time. Just reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of broth to keep it moist.
When reheating, I prefer the stovetop method over the microwave. Gently warm the chicken in a skillet with a little extra broth or water to recreate that fresh-cooked texture. The microwave can make the chicken rubbery, but if you’re in a hurry, cover it and use medium power in short bursts.
For another great make-ahead option, try my lemon rhubarb loaf—it freezes wonderfully and makes for lovely unexpected guests. And if you’re looking for more citrus-forward dishes that store well, my lemon blueberry dessert holds up beautifully in the fridge for days.
Try This Lemon Chicken Yourself
There’s something truly special about sharing a meal that connects us to memories and creates new ones. I hope this Lemon Chicken recipe becomes part of your family’s story too, just like it has in mine.
I remember the first time I made this for my now-husband—he declared it his favorite meal after just one bite. Now it’s our go-to celebration dinner, whether we’re marking small victories or simply enjoying a quiet evening together.
This easy Lemon Chicken truly is one of those versatile dishes that works for busy weeknights and special occasions alike. The bright, comforting flavors never fail to bring people together around the table.
I’d love to hear how your Lemon Chicken turns out! Share your creations with me, and don’t forget to explore other citrus-inspired recipes like my lemon cherry gelato, lemon cherry ice cream recipe, or lemon cherry sherbet ice cream recipe for the perfect sweet ending to your meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are in lemon chicken?
The essential Lemon Chicken ingredients include chicken breasts, fresh lemons, butter, chicken broth, garlic, and basic pantry staples like flour, salt, and pepper. I always recommend using fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the brightest flavor in your lemon butter sauce.
What spices enhance lemon chicken?
Beyond the basic seasonings, I love adding dried oregano, thyme, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to my Lemon Chicken recipe. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil added at the end brighten everything up beautifully and complement the citrus notes perfectly.
Should you put a lemon in your chicken?
While you don’t put whole lemons inside the chicken for this particular recipe, we do use plenty of lemon juice and zest in the sauce. The citrus permeates the dish wonderfully, creating that signature zesty baked chicken with broth that everyone loves.
Why do people soak chicken in lemon?
Some cooks soak chicken in lemon juice to tenderize it slightly or add flavor, but for this quick stovetop chicken in lemon glaze, we don’t need to pre-soak. The cooking method and sauce provide plenty of tenderness and bright citrus flavor without the extra step.
Bright Citrus Recipes for Every Occasion
If you loved this lemon chicken, you’ll adore these other sunny, citrus-forward dishes that bring brightness to any meal.
- Lemon Chia Fresca – A refreshing, hydrating drink that’s perfect for warm afternoons.
- Lemon Ginger Tonic – Soothing and spicy, this drink comforts from the inside out.
- Lemon Cherry Sorbet – A tart-sweet frozen treat that cleanses the palate beautifully.
- Lemon Coconut Gelato – Creamy tropical goodness with a bright citrus twist.
- Green Lemonade Smoothie – A healthy start to your day that tastes like sunshine in a glass.
- Lemon Cherry Sherbet – A nostalgic frozen dessert that’s both creamy and refreshing.
