Succulent, golden-brown chicken breasts bathed in a luscious lemony garlic butter sauce make this recipe for Lemony Garlic Butter Chicken Breasts an instant crowd-pleaser. Perfectly seasoned with paprika, black pepper, and a light flour coating, the chicken develops a crisp exterior while staying juicy and tender inside. The rich, velvety sauce, made with fresh lemon juice, garlic, chicken broth, and a touch of heavy cream, strikes the perfect balance of tangy and buttery flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy, one-skillet recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for entertaining. Garnish with fresh parsley and pair with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread for a complete meal that's bursting with bright, zesty flavor.
Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Lightly coat the chicken with all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess. This helps create a light crust and thicken the sauce later.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and foamy.
Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. This adds flavor to the sauce.
Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest, allowing the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and whisk in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Return the chicken breasts and any accumulated juices back to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the chicken. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to heat through and absorb the flavors.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Optionally, serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables to soak up the delicious lemony garlic butter sauce.
Calories |
1780 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 85.6 g | 110% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.2 g | 181% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 715 mg | 238% | |
| Sodium | 3179 mg | 138% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 21.5 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.7 g | ||
| Protein | 220.8 g | 442% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 150 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 8.8 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 2120 mg | 45% | |
*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.