Description
Zesty lemon butter chicken elevates weeknight dinners with Mediterranean flair. Succulent chicken thighs bathed in tangy sauce deliver restaurant-quality flavor and effortless elegance you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat chicken completely dry, then lavishly season both surfaces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to create a robust flavor profile.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature until glistening. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the pan, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust for 4-5 minutes. Confirm chicken reaches 165F/74C internal temperature, then transfer to a holding plate.
- Sauce Foundation: Reduce skillet heat to medium, introducing butter and allowing it to melt. Swiftly add minced garlic, stirring briefly to release its aromatic qualities. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to lift caramelized remnants from the skillet’s surface.
- Flavor Infusion: Incorporate lemon juice, lemon zest, and thyme into the developing sauce. Simmer the mixture for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to concentrate and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Final Assembly: Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the lemon-infused sauce. Warm through for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring complete flavor absorption.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve alongside complementary sides like pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Ensure Chicken Dryness: Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Control Skillet Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat initially for crispy exterior, then reduce to medium when making sauce to prevent burning garlic and butter.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165F/74C for safe, juicy results without overcooking.
- Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with herbs like rosemary or add red pepper flakes for extra kick, making the dish adaptable to different taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg