Chicken or Salmon in a Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this irresistible Chicken or Salmon in a Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce, a dish that combines velvety richness with vibrant citrus notes. Juicy chicken breasts or tender salmon fillets are pan-seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a luscious sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and parmesan cheese. A touch of lemon zest and fresh parsley add brightness and freshness, creating the perfect balance of flavors. Ready in just 35 minutes, this versatile recipe is as comforting as it is elegant, making it ideal for a quick family meal or an impressive dinner party centerpiece. Serve it with steamed vegetables, fluffy rice, or your favorite pasta to soak up every last drop of the creamy goodness.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken breasts or salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 cup Chicken stock or vegetable broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Begin by patting dry the chicken breasts or salmon fillets with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken or salmon to the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked (about 4-5 minutes per side for chicken, or 3-4 minutes per side for salmon). Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Pour in the chicken stock or vegetable broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the liquid to simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the pan. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Return the cooked chicken or salmon to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes to reheat and absorb the flavors.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed vegetables, rice, or pasta.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2035 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 152.8 g | 196% | |
| Saturated Fat | 74.4 g | 372% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 662 mg | 221% | |
| Sodium | 3516 mg | 153% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.5 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 134.1 g | 268% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 320 mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 4.8 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 1229 mg | 26% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
