Weeknights can be such a drag sometimes, right? You’re tired, hungry, and the last thing you want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen. That’s where this amazing Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce recipe swoops in to save the day! Seriously, in about 30 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal bursting with bright, zesty flavor that’s just *so* satisfying. I whipped this up for my family last Tuesday when it felt like the world was ending, and by the end of dinner, everyone was asking for seconds. It’s just that good and that easy!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

Trust me, this dish is a winner for so many reasons:

It’s unbelievably quick – ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish!
The lemon butter sauce is ridiculously flavorful and bright, it just sings.
It’s super versatile; tastes amazing with pretty much anything.
Uses simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have.
It feels fancy enough for guests but is easy enough for a Tuesday night.
Clean-up is a breeze, especially using just one skillet!

Gather Your Ingredients for Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

Okay, let’s get our ingredients ready. It’s really not much, which is part of why this recipe is so awesome! Here’s what you’ll need:

1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup unsalted butter (use the good stuff, it makes a difference!)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (seriously, fresh is key here)
2 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you’re a garlic fiend like me!)
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for that pop of green and freshness)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s super straightforward. Follow these steps and you’ll have a phenomenal Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce on your table in no time.

Preparing the Chicken

First things first, get your chicken ready. I like to cut my chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces – makes it easier to eat and cooks up faster. Then, grab a shallow dish and mix up your flour, salt, and pepper. Dredging the chicken in this flour mixture is key! It gives it a little coating that gets wonderfully crispy when it hits the pan and helps thicken up our sauce later on. Don’t skip this part, it makes a HUGE difference.

Cooking the Chicken to Perfection

Now, heat your olive oil in a nice big skillet over medium-high heat. You want it hot enough so the chicken sizzles when it goes in. Carefully add your floured chicken pieces, making sure not to crowd the pan – give them some space! Cook ’em until they’re beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces. Once they’re done, scoop them out onto a plate and set them aside. We’ll add them back later!

Crafting the Luscious Lemon Butter Sauce

See that lovely brown stuff left in the pan? That’s flavor gold! Don’t clean the skillet. Just pop in your unsalted butter and let it melt over medium heat. Once it’s melted and happy, toss in your minced garlic. Cook that for just about a minute until it smells amazing – be careful not to burn it! Now, pour in your fresh lemon juice and the chicken broth. Give it a good stir and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. You’ll see it start to thicken up a bit, turning into this gorgeous, glossy sauce. This is where the Cajun garlic butter sauce vibes start kicking in, but with that bright lemon punch! It’s so good!

Bringing It All Together

Time for the grand finale! Gently return your cooked chicken back into the skillet. Tumble it around in that fantastic lemon butter sauce until every piece is coated. Oh, it smells incredible at this point! Finally, stir in your fresh chopped parsley. It adds a burst of freshness and beautiful color. Give it one last quick toss, and boom! Your Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce is ready to be devoured. It’s so simple, but the results are just chef’s kiss. You could totally go for a sauce like the one in our creamy Cajun sauce recipe, but this lemon version is just divine!

Tips for the Best Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

You know, making this Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce is already pretty foolproof, but here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that really make it sing. First off, use good quality ingredients! Fresh lemon juice is a non-negotiable – that bottled stuff just doesn’t have the same zing. And try to use real butter; it makes such a difference in the richness of the sauce. Also, don’t rush the browning of the chicken. That golden-brown color isn’t just pretty; it adds a ton of flavor. If you overcook the chicken in that first step, it can get a bit dry, so watch it carefully. And for the sauce, remember not to boil it like crazy after you add the lemon juice and broth; a gentle simmer is perfect for thickening without anything getting weird.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could totally sneak in some veggies! Thinly sliced mushrooms or bell peppers would be delicious sautéed before adding the garlic for the sauce. Or maybe some spinach wilted in at the very end? It’s just a fantastic base recipe, kind of like our Tuscan Chicken or Creamy Chicken Stroganoff, where you can easily add your own spin. Cooking chicken pieces instead of whole breasts means everything cooks super fast, so keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Alright, let’s chat about a few ingredients here! The fresh lemon juice is really where the magic happens for that bright, zesty flavor, so if you can, definitely spring for fresh lemons over the bottled stuff. However, if you absolutely can’t find fresh, about 3-4 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch. For the butter, I always use unsalted because it lets me control the saltiness of the dish myself, but if you only have salted butter, just cut back a tiny bit on the salt you add later. And while chicken breasts are my go-to here because they cook so fast, you could totally use boneless, skinless chicken thighs! They’ll just take a few extra minutes to cook through. For the herbs, fresh parsley is lovely for a bit of color and freshness, but dried parsley works too – just use about a teaspoon instead of two tablespoons. If you’re ever in a pinch and need to make your own heavy cream substitute, check out this handy guide for how to make heavy cream at home!

Serving Suggestions for Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

This Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce is so versatile, it practically begs to be paired with something delicious! For a classic weeknight meal, you really can’t go wrong with serving it over some fluffy white rice or my favorite pasta to soak up all that amazing sauce. If you’re looking for veggies, our honey roasted carrots add a lovely sweetness, or try a side of creamy garlic mushroom risotto for something a little more decadent. It’s also fantastic with some crusty bread for dipping!

Storage and Reheating

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This lemon chicken is pretty darn good the next day. Just pop any extra chicken into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It should stay yummy for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, I find a quick sauté in a skillet over medium heat is best – it helps keep the chicken from getting mushy and reheats the sauce beautifully!

Frequently Asked Questions about Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

Got questions about this delightful Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce? I’ve got answers! It’s such a forgiving recipe, but here are a few things folks often ask.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are super forgiving and tasty. Just know they’ll take a few minutes longer to cook through compared to the breasts, so keep an eye on ’em!

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If you like a thicker sauce, just mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until smooth, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Let it bubble for a minute or two, and voilà! Thick, luscious sauce.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Honestly, it’s best fresh. The sauce can separate a bit when frozen and reheated, and the chicken might lose some texture. It’s so quick to make, I’d recommend whipping up a fresh batch!

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Oh, for sure! Sauté some broccoli florets, snap peas, or even some bell peppers right after you brown the chicken and before making the sauce. They’ll cook right in that delicious pan! Our easy chicken recipe is also great for adding veggies!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, this stuff is a tasty estimate! The nutrition can wiggle around a bit depending on exactly what you use, like the brand of butter or chicken broth. But generally, a serving of this super yummy Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce clocks in around 450 calories, with about 25g of fat, 35g of protein, and 15g of carbs. Not bad for such a flavorful meal!

Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A simple and flavorful chicken dish with a bright lemon butter sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge chicken pieces in the flour mixture.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir in lemon juice and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until sauce slightly thickens.
Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
Stir in chopped parsley.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra lemon flavor, add lemon zest to the sauce.
Serve with rice or pasta to soak up the sauce.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Pan-Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: lemon chicken, lemon butter sauce, chicken recipe, easy chicken, weeknight dinner