Description
Mouthwatering easy lemon pepper chicken with creamy sauce delivers zesty Mediterranean flavors that dance across palates. Home chefs can elevate weeknight dinners with this simple yet elegant culinary creation you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 ½ tsps lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh)
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsps)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Butterfly chicken breasts into thin, even cutlets to promote uniform cooking and thorough seasoning absorption.
- Season Chicken: Massage a blend of salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder into the meat, ensuring complete flavor coverage and deep spice penetration.
- Sear Protein: Heat skillet to medium-high and add a light coating of cooking oil. Place seasoned cutlets into the pan, creating a golden-brown crust without moving for 4-5 minutes.
- Cook Through: Reduce heat slightly and flip chicken, continuing to cook until both sides achieve a crisp, caramelized exterior and internal temperature reaches safe doneness.
- Create Sauce: Without cleaning the skillet, introduce heavy cream, chicken broth, and fresh lemon juice. Whisk vigorously to incorporate pan drippings and develop a rich, velvety sauce.
- Finish Dish: Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece in the creamy lemon pepper sauce. Simmer briefly to meld flavors and ensure complete sauce coverage.
- Plate and Garnish: Transfer chicken to serving plates, drizzling remaining sauce over the top. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives for a bright, aromatic final touch.
Notes
- Butterfly with Precision: Slice chicken breasts horizontally, creating uniform thickness to guarantee even cooking and consistent flavor absorption throughout the meat.
- Master the Sear: Allow skillet to reach optimal heat before adding oil, preventing chicken from sticking and ensuring a perfectly golden, crispy exterior without burning.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Whisk sauce ingredients actively and simmer briefly to achieve desired thickness, scraping pan bits for deeper flavor complexity without over-reducing the liquid.
- Temperature Management: Monitor heat levels during cooking, reducing flame if chicken browns too quickly, preventing dry meat while maintaining a succulent, tender texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg