Lemon Garlic Chicken – Zesty, Juicy, and Effortlessly Delicious

A vibrant, one-pan chicken recipe bursting with bright citrus, savory garlic, and fresh herbs—perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekend dinners.

🎉 Introduction

If you’re looking for a meal that’s simple to make but big on flavor, Lemon Garlic Chicken is the answer. Tender chicken breasts are seared until golden, then simmered in a zesty, buttery lemon garlic sauce that turns every bite into a celebration. 🍋🧄🍗

Whether paired with pasta, roasted veggies, or a bed of rice, this dish is wonderfully adaptable and guaranteed to become a regular in your rotation. Plus, it comes together in just 30 minutes—no fuss, no mess.

🛒 Ingredients

🍗 For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil

🧄 For the Lemon Garlic Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Season & Sear the Chicken

1. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic; sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
3. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.

Step 3: Finish & Serve

1. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
2. Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: ~30 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Creamy Twist: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream for a rich, silky sauce
• Herby Boost: Add rosemary or thyme instead of Italian seasoning
• Crispy Skin: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and bake for extra crispiness
• Low Carb: Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles
• Citrus Swap: Try orange juice and zest for a sweeter twist

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce together for up to 2 months
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth to revive the sauce
• Meal Prep Tip: Slice cooked chicken and store with rice and veggies for quick lunches

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead?
   Yes! Thighs stay extra juicy and are full of flavor.
2. Is this dish spicy?
   Only mildly if you add red pepper flakes—omit them for no heat.
3. Can I bake this recipe?
   Yes—sear first, then bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes in the sauce.
4. Do I need fresh lemon juice?
   Fresh is best, but bottled works in a pinch.
5. Can I make it dairy-free?
   Skip the butter or use a dairy-free alternative.
6. What sides go best with this?
   Roasted potatoes, rice, pasta, or steamed green beans pair well.
7. Does it work for meal prep?
   Absolutely—store and reheat easily for quick meals.
8. What’s the best pan to use?
   A cast iron or stainless steel skillet works best for browning.
9. Can I double the sauce?
   Yes! It’s great over pasta or mashed potatoes.
10. Can I grill the chicken instead?
    Yes—grill and then spoon warm sauce over before serving.

🏁 Conclusion

This Lemon Garlic Chicken is your ticket to an effortless, flavor-packed dinner that never gets old. With juicy chicken, a tangy lemon garlic sauce, and just 30 minutes from stovetop to plate, it’s everything a busy cook could want. 🍋💛

Bright, savory, and completely satisfying—get ready to put this on repeat.

Adam

Lemon Garlic Chicken – Zesty, Juicy, and Effortlessly Delicious

If you’re looking for a meal that’s simple to make but big on flavor, Lemon Garlic Chicken is the answer. Tender chicken breasts are seared until golden, then simmered in a zesty, buttery lemon garlic sauce that turns every bite into a celebration. 🍋🧄🍗 Whether paired with pasta, roasted veggies, or a bed of rice, this dish is wonderfully adaptable and guaranteed to become a regular in your rotation. Plus, it comes together in just 30 minutes—no fuss, no mess.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍗 For the Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil

🧄 For the Lemon Garlic Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Lemon slices for garnish optional

Method

 

Step 1: Season & Sear the Chicken

1. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce

1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic; sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, zest, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
3. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.

Step 3: Finish & Serve

1. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
2. Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

Notes

Creamy Twist: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream for a rich, silky sauce

Herby Boost: Add rosemary or thyme instead of Italian seasoning

Crispy Skin: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and bake for extra crispiness

Low Carb: Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles

Citrus Swap: Try orange juice and zest for a sweeter twist

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce together for up to 2 months

Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth to revive the sauce

Meal Prep Tip: Slice cooked chicken and store with rice and veggies for quick lunches

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes! Thighs stay extra juicy and are full of flavor.

Is this dish spicy?
Only mildly if you add red pepper flakes—omit them for no heat.

Can I bake this recipe?
Yes—sear first, then bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes in the sauce.

Do I need fresh lemon juice?
Fresh is best, but bottled works in a pinch.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Skip the butter or use a dairy-free alternative.

What sides go best with this?
Roasted potatoes, rice, pasta, or steamed green beans pair well.

Does it work for meal prep?
Absolutely—store and reheat easily for quick meals.

What’s the best pan to use?
A cast iron or stainless steel skillet works best for browning.

Can I double the sauce?
Yes! It’s great over pasta or mashed potatoes.

Can I grill the chicken instead?
Yes—grill and then spoon warm sauce over before serving.

🏁 Conclusion
This Lemon Garlic Chicken is your ticket to an effortless, flavor-packed dinner that never gets old. With juicy chicken, a tangy lemon garlic sauce, and just 30 minutes from stovetop to plate, it’s everything a busy cook could want. 🍋💛

Bright, savory, and completely satisfying—get ready to put this on repeat.