Description
Lemon Chicken Recipe: Tender chicken cooked in zesty lemon sauce. Quick, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. Perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (1 sliced thinly, 1 for juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Begin by patting the chicken completely dry with paper towels – this is crucial for achieving a good sear. If using chicken breasts and they’re very thick, consider butterflying them or pounding them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, dried oregano, and dried thyme, then rub this mixture onto both sides of the chicken pieces.
- Step 2: Sear the Chicken Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place the seasoned chicken in the pan without crowding (work in batches if necessary). Let it cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until deeply golden, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Step 3: Create the Lemon Sauce Base In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for just 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Quickly add half of the lemon juice to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this is where so much flavor lives!
- Step 4: Build the Sauce Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the lemon slices and let the sauce reduce by about one-third, approximately 3-4 minutes. If you prefer a thicker sauce, create a slurry by mixing the tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then whisk this into the simmering sauce. Add the butter and stir until melted and incorporated, creating a silky texture.
- Step 5: Finish and Serve Return the chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce, and spoon some sauce over the top. Allow everything to simmer together for 1-2 minutes. Just before serving, add the remaining fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with chopped parsley. This final touch of fresh lemon brightens the entire dish. Serve immediately, spooning plenty of that luscious sauce over each piece of chicken.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast/thigh
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg