Description
Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet is a quick, flavorful, and wholesome one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts infused with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish offers a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and fresh flavors, making it ideal for busy weeknights or easy entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1–2 fresh lemons (juice and zest)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes for mild heat
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Zest and juice the lemons. Mince the garlic cloves. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to ensure all the fresh flavors are ready for cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown, locking in moisture and developing a flavorful crust.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: Remove the chicken temporarily from the skillet. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer and Finish: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and let everything simmer gently for 5-7 minutes so the chicken absorbs the lemon-garlic flavors and cooks through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme over the chicken. Add optional red pepper flakes for a touch of heat if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet; cook chicken in batches if needed to maintain browning.
- Adjust lemon juice to balance acidity and avoid overly sour sauce.
- Let cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain juiciness.
- Use fresh minced garlic for best aromatic flavor; avoid pre-minced or powdered forms.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg