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Lemon Chicken Skillet

Lemon Chicken Skillet

Lemon Chicken Skillet is a bright, flavorful, and easy weeknight dinner featuring juicy skinless, boneless chicken breasts simmered in a zesty lemon garlic sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-skillet meal combines fresh ingredients and simple steps to create a comforting and vibrant dish perfect for the whole family.

  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins and Main Ingredients

  • 2–4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (preferably gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts and season them generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano to ensure flavorful meat right from the first sear.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown, developing a rich crust without fully cooking through to retain moisture and flavor.
  3. Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce: Remove the chicken from the skillet and add butter to the same pan. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan to deepen the sauce flavor.
  4. Simmer the Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and let it simmer in the lemon garlic sauce for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender.
  5. Finish and Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for brightness and vibrant color. Serve immediately while warm and saucy.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright and natural flavor; bottled juice can taste harsh.
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet to allow the chicken to brown properly and develop a golden crust.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to retain its juices and tenderness.
  • Adjust lemon intensity by tasting the sauce before serving and adding more lemon juice or broth to preference.
  • Slice chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and perfect texture.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: lemon chicken, chicken skillet, easy dinner, healthy dinner, quick chicken recipe, weeknight meal, family-friendly, gluten-free chicken