Versatile Lemon Chicken
Bright, zesty, and incredibly adaptable, this Versatile Lemon Chicken recipe is your go-to dish for weeknight dinners or elegant gatherings. Featuring tender, golden-brown chicken breasts bathed in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors. Freshly squeezed lemon juice, fragrant zest, and optional capers add bursts of brightness, while the rich chicken broth and butter bring depth to the sauce. Ready in just 35 minutes, this one-pan dish is a time-saving marvel that's also easy to customize—serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and minimal effort make this lemon chicken recipe a must-try for any home cook.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 0.25 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pieces garlic cloves (minced)
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 teaspoons capers (optional)
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Dredge the chicken in the all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess, and place it in the hot skillet.
Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, slightly reducing in volume.
Optionally, add the capers to the sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to warm the chicken through.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
424 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.9 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.4 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 163 mg | 54% | |
| Sodium | 707 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 5.9 g | 2% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.7 g | ||
| Protein | 55.3 g | 111% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 33 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 534 mg | 11% | |
*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.
