Indulge in a one-pan delight with our Creamy Lemon Chicken recipe, featuring golden, crispy chicken cutlets in a luscious creamy lemon sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, this low-carb meal is perfect for hectic weeknights. Main ingredients include chicken, lemon, half-and-half, and fresh parsley.
When life gave me lemons, I decided to cook them into something special! The “Creamy Lemon Chicken” recipe holds a dear spot in my kitchen adventures. On a particularly busy day juggling work and family, I desperately needed a quick yet comforting dinner solution. Remembering a lemony dish my grandmother used to whip up, I took inspiration and created my version with a creamy twist. As I watched the chicken sizzle and the sauce thicken, the familiar citrusy aroma brought back warm, nostalgic feelings. Now, whenever I need a quick, delightful meal that brings a smile to everyone’s table, this creamy lemon chicken is my go-to recipe, proving that sometimes, the simplest ingredients, combined with a little love (and a bit of cream), can create the most heartwarming meals.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Chicken
Introducing the Creamy Lemon Chicken—a dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal in just 25 minutes! Here’s why you should try this recipe tonight:
- Quick and Easy: With a total cook time of 25 minutes, this one-pan wonder is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Health-Conscious: Low-carb and made with wholesome ingredients, it’s as good for you as it is delicious.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether you prefer mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice, this dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by adults and kids alike, it’s a surefire way to please the whole crowd.
- Minimal Cleanup: One pan is all you need, making cleanup a breeze and giving you more time to relax after dinner.
Ingredient Notes
Cooking the Creamy Lemon Chicken is like conducting a symphony where every ingredient plays a crucial role. Here are some notes to ensure each element shines:
- Chicken: Use thin cutlets for quick cooking and even seasoning. If you have thicker breasts, slice them horizontally for best results.
- Lemon: The zest and juice of fresh lemons are vital for that vibrant, citrusy kick. Avoid bottled lemon juice to keep the flavors bright and fresh.
- Half-and-Half: This creamy base adds richness without being too heavy. For a lighter version, whole milk works wonderfully too.
- Seasoning: Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper; proper seasoning brings out the best in all the ingredients.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley not only adds a pop of color but also a fresh, herbal note that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
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How To Make Creamy Lemon Chicken
Let’s cook up some Creamy Lemon Chicken! Here’s how to make sure each step is executed perfectly:
- Preparation: Start by patting the chicken dry and seasoning it generously. This ensures a perfectly golden crust and seals in flavors.
- Cooking the Chicken: Heat the oil until it shimmers, then cook the chicken in batches to avoid crowding the pan, which ensures each piece gets a nice, even sear.
- Making the Sauce: After removing the chicken, use the same pan to build your sauce. Start with melting butter, then sauté shallots and garlic. Adding flour forms a roux, which thickens the sauce beautifully when the half-and-half and broth are added.
- Finishing Touches: Return the chicken to the pan and simmer it in the sauce to marry the flavors and finish cooking the chicken thoroughly. The final stir of lemon juice adds a fresh burst of flavor right before serving.
Storage Options
This Creamy Lemon Chicken is as practical as it is delicious! For storing leftovers:
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stove over low heat to keep the chicken moist and the sauce creamy without separating.
Variations and Substitutions
Customize your Creamy Lemon Chicken to fit your taste or pantry availability:
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream instead of half-and-half for a dairy-free yet still creamy sauce.
- Herbs: Swap parsley for thyme or basil for a different herbal note.
- Citrus Twist: Add orange zest for a deeper citrus flavor that complements the lemon.
- Spicy Kick: Introduce red pepper flakes while cooking the shallots and garlic for a bit of heat.
- Flour Alternatives: Use cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend to make this dish gluten-free.
Creamy Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, approximately 2 pounds in total, sliced into thin cutlets
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt additional as required for seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper additional as required for seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot finely minced
- 4 cloves of garlic finely minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of half-and-half or whole milk
- 1/2 cup of low-sodium chicken broth
- Juice from 1 medium lemon approximately 3 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley leaves
- 1 small lemon thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation of Chicken: Begin by ensuring the chicken cutlets are thoroughly dried using paper towels. Season them generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides.
- Searing the Chicken: In a skillet of at least 10 inches in diameter, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken cutlets in batches to prevent overcrowding, searing them until they are deeply browned on one side, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Using tongs, turn the cutlets over and sear the other side until equally browned, an additional 6 to 7 minutes. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a separate plate and set aside.
- Sauce Preparation: Lower the heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once the butter has melted, incorporate the minced shallot, garlic, additional salt, and pepper, cooking and stirring occasionally until the shallots begin to soften, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and garlic, stirring to coat evenly, and cook for an additional minute.
- Developing the Sauce: Gradually stir in the half-and-half (or whole milk) and chicken broth, ensuring to dissolve any lumps of flour and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Final Cooking of Chicken: Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, simmering in the sauce until it thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a spoon and the chicken is fully cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and garnish with chopped parsley and thinly sliced lemon before serving promptly.
