Description
Enjoy tender pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich and tangy creamy lemon-garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cream
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook them until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust on both sides, approximately 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the lemon-garlic sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the cream, along with the lemon juice and lemon zest, stirring well to combine all flavors.
- Incorporate the Parmesan: Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce mixture, stirring continuously until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to let the sauce boil vigorously to prevent curdling.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy lemon sauce over them. Simmer together for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors and the sauce to fully coat the meat.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the creamy lemon chicken immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lemons for juice and zest to maximize brightness in the sauce.
- Chicken breasts can be flattened slightly with a meat mallet for quicker, more even cooking.
- If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a splash of chicken broth or water.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
