This skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken is a lifesaver on busy weeknights. It’s delicious, easy to make, and clean-up is a breeze. It only takes 30 minutes and the recipe creates an amazing flavorful sauce.
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Why this Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
What makes this recipe great? Create a list of items: Link to other relevant IAK content and/or affiliate products when possible. The list below has some ideas but you don’t have to use all of them and you can include others that aren’t listed.
- 30 Minute Meal: This meal is so easy. No need to marinate the chicken.
- Easy Ingredients: Simple, fresh ingredients are the star of this recipe.
- Family Friendly: This lemon garlic sauce acts like a lemon garlic marinade that flavors the chicken.
- Adaptable: Can make it with pork if you like or use boneless chicken thighs.
- Makes Great Leftovers: If you let the chicken rest and store in an airtight container it will be amazing. Save this recipe as you will make it often.
If you’re looking for more Chicken recipes, try these Cornflake Chicken, Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Strawberry Salsa and Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs.
What is the best skillet for cooking the chicken?
My favorite skillet is a cast iron skillet. It has excellent heat retention and even heating. However, you can use stainless steel or whichever skillet is good for your stove type.
Ingredient Notes to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken
You will love this recipe. It is fresh, flavorful chicken with a savory garlic sauce.
- Chicken: You will need 4 inch thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Chicken Broth: A staple for the pan sauce.
- Dry White Wine: Use a good quality wine that you like to drink.
- Lemons: You will need the lemon juice, lemon zest and lemon wedges to garnish.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Skillet Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Garlic
This is the best chicken. The lemon and garlic gives the chicken so much juicy flavor you
- .Jar: A jar minced garlic can be used in place of garlic cloves or garlic powder for this chicken dishes.
- Lemon Pepper: In place of the all purpose blend, try a lemon pepper blend.
- Skinless Chicken thighs: Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs are a great recipe and super juicy with tons of lemon flavor.
Pro Tip to Love this Recipe
The flesh should be plump and springy. Gently press the chicken with your finger. If it bounces back quickly, it’s fresh. If it leaves an indentation, it’s likely older.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Dinner
This chicken is very moist. I have enjoyed this tender chicken recipe with all it’s lemon garlic goodness with so many different sides, from a fresh green salad to crusty bread for dipping in all the sauce.
These are the basic steps for making butter garlic lemon chicken breast. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Prep
First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Then season both sides of the chicken with All Purpose Seasoning blend. Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Cook the Chicken on One Side and Flip the Chicken
Next, add the chicken and brown on both sides – about 2-3 minutes per side; remove chicken and transfer chicken to a plate and set aside. Sear until both sides are golden brown and the chicken is nearly cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
3. Make Sauce and Deglaze
Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet and saute for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Next, add chicken broth, wine and lemon juice to the skillet; use a whisk to scrape the browned bits from the bottom.
4.Simmer
Then simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce reduces to 1/2 cup. Turn off the heat and add the butter and half and half. Whisk until combined.
5. Finish the Honey Lemon Garlic Chicken and Let the Chicken Marinade
Return the chicken back to the skillet and place in preheated oven for 8 minutes until chicken is cooked (or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees). Remove skillet from oven and spoon sauce over the chicken and serve with chopped parsley and additional lemon slices.
Skillet Lemon and Garlic Chicken Recipe FAQs
Apply gentle pressure with your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the lemon. It should give slightly, but not feel mushy. A rock-hard lemon might be underripe, while a super soft one could be past its prime.
Yes, of course, you can add a drizzle of honey to make a honey lemon garlic chicken.
Of course, there is no need to follow the recipe exactly. There are some great non alcoholic versions as well as some other good Wine Substitutes.
You can make this recipe and keep it for up to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container or you can freeze. The chicken is juicy and full of flavor and can use it for many other meals. Just use fresh parsley and lemon slices.
Expert Tips to Make this Recipe for Garlic Lemon Chicken Recipe
This easy lemon garlic chicken recipe is so flavorful. Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes to absorb sauce ingredients.
- Brine the chicken for extra moistness and flavor: A simple brine with water, salt, and sugar for 30 minutes to an hour can make a big difference to this easy recipe for juicy chicken.
- Even Chicken: Pound them gently between two pieces of plastic wrap to a uniform thickness of about ½ inch.
- Extra Sauce: Make extra sauce for pasta or veggies and slice the chicken in.
- Herbs: Stir in some fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or oregano for an extra pop of freshness for this chicken breast recipe.
What to Serve the Chicken with:
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Lemon Garlic Chicken
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Ingredients
- 4 Chicken breasts, thinly sliced boneless skinless about 1/2 thick
- All Purpose Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ⅓ cup Shallots, finely diced or onion
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup Chicken broth
- ½ cup White wine, dry wine or chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- ¼ cup Half and half
- 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
- 3-4 slices Lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Season both sides of the chicken with House Seasoning blend.
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and brown on both sides – about 2-3 minutes per side; remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Add shallots; saute for 5 minutes, until translucent.
- Add garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet and saute for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth, wine and lemon juice to the skillet; use a whisk to scrape the browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer for 10 minutes or until sauce reduces to 1/2 cup.
- Turn off the heat and add the butter and half and half. Whisk until combined.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet and place in preheated oven for 8 minutes (or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees)
- Remove skillet from oven and serve with chopped parsley and lemon slices.
Christina’s Notes
- Brine the chicken for extra moistness and flavor: A simple brine with water, salt, and sugar for 30 minutes to an hour can make a big difference to this easy recipe for juicy chicken.
- Even Chicken: Pound them gently between two pieces of plastic wrap to a uniform thickness of about ½ inch.
- Extra Sauce: Make extra sauce for pasta or veggies.
- Herbs: Stir in some fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or oregano for an extra pop of freshness for this chicken breast recipe.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.