Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe is a bright and flavorful dish perfect for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive weekend dinner. This recipe delivers a perfectly cooked chicken bathed in a creamy, tangy lemon sauce, making it both incredibly simple and delightfully satisfying.
Key Ingredients for Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1-2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
How to Make Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe
This Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, promising a delicious and satisfying meal in under 30 minutes. The simplicity of its preparation, coupled with the vibrant lemon and creamy sauce, makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The tender chicken and rich, flavorful sauce are truly stand-out elements, perfect for any occasion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. If the chicken breasts are particularly thick, you can pound them to an even thickness for more uniform cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Let the broth simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Create the Creamy Lemon Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate Cheese and Parsley: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the lemon sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Let it simmer gently for another 1-2 minutes to warm the chicken through and allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe
You’ll absolutely adore this Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe for its incredibly bright and zesty flavor profile, which instantly elevates simple chicken. Unlike a plain pan-fried chicken breast, this dish boasts a luxuriously creamy lemon sauce that’s both tangy and comforting, making every bite a delight. Making this at home is incredibly cost-effective compared to ordering restaurant-style chicken, saving you money without compromising on taste or elegance. The vibrant zest and fresh juice, combined with decadent cream and savory Parmesan, create a symphony of flavors that will have you hooked.
This recipe is a true weeknight hero, offering a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort and maximum reward. It’s a fantastic alternative to dishes like creamy Tuscan chicken, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying flavor. Give this Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe a try tonight and prepare to impress yourself and your loved ones with its effortless charm and delicious taste!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Allow the Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating on Stovetop: Place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick. Gently heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is warmed. Avoid high heat, which can toughen the chicken.
- Reheating in Microwave: Place a portion of the chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Be cautious not to overcook.
- Freezing: This dish freezes well. Portion the chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the stovetop or microwave method.
Final Thoughts
The Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe is a truly delightful dish that combines simplicity with incredible flavor. Its bright, tangy sauce and tender chicken are sure to become a fast favorite. We encourage you to whip up this delicious recipe soon for a satisfying and elegant meal.
Zesty Lemon Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. If the chicken breasts are particularly thick, you can pound them to an even thickness for more uniform cooking.2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, salt, black pepper
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet. Sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 medium yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Let the broth simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly.1/2 cup chicken broth
- Stir in the heavy cream, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the lemon sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Let it simmer gently for another 1-2 minutes to warm the chicken through and allow the flavors to meld.2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and a final squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately.2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice