Zesty Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken Recipe: Bright Dinner Magic!

Weeknight dinners demand a burst of zesty lemon pepper skillet chicken that wakes up tired taste buds and transforms ordinary meals.

This simple yet sophisticated recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor straight to your kitchen.

Tender chicken breasts sizzle with bright, citrusy notes and a perfect pepper kick.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of tanginess and warmth that makes dinner feel special.

The skillet method ensures a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and succulent.

Minimal ingredients and quick preparation mean you can have a delectable meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Serve alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp salad for a complete and satisfying dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Creamy Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, choose fresh, boneless cuts for even cooking and tender texture.

• Lemon Pepper, Garlic Powder, Salt: Vibrant spice blend that adds layers of zesty and savory flavors, ensuring a bold and aromatic chicken profile.
• Black Pepper: Provides a sharp, warming kick that enhances the overall depth of the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings a harmonious blend of herbs that elevates the chicken's Mediterranean-inspired taste.

• Olive Oil: Creates a perfect searing base that helps develop a golden, crispy chicken exterior.
• Butter: Adds rich, creamy undertones and helps create a silky smooth sauce texture.
• Chicken Broth: Introduces additional savory depth and helps build the sauce's complex flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Delivers bright, tangy citrus notes that cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms the sauce into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a salty, nutty essence that thickens and enriches the sauce.

Tools That Help With Skillet Chicken Cooking

• Large Skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the creamy sauce.
• Tongs: Perfect for flipping and handling chicken safely during cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and spices.
• Zester or Grater: Needed to create fresh lemon zest for extra flavor.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending cream and cheese into a smooth sauce.
• Cutting Board: Use for patting chicken dry and zesting lemon.
• Knife: Helps prepare ingredients and zest lemon.

Instructions for a Zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken Dish

• Prepare Chicken

Grab chicken and dust it with zesty seasonings, ensuring each side gets a flavorful coating. Heat up your skillet with a splash of olive oil, then place the chicken inside and cook until a gorgeous golden-brown crust forms and the meat is perfectly done.

• Craft Luxurious Sauce

Lower the skillet’s temperature and drop in some butter. Quickly dance minced garlic around the pan until its aroma fills the kitchen. Pour in broth, a squeeze of citrus, and a sprinkle of herbs. Let everything bubble gently for a moment. Swirl in cream and cheese, whisking until the sauce transforms into a silky, rich blanket ready to embrace the chicken.

• Combine and Serve

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Let everything mingle for a minute, allowing the flavors to become best friends. Slide the skillet’s contents onto waiting plates, and get ready for a meal that’ll make taste buds dance with joy.

• Final Touch

If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with fresh herbs or an extra lemon wedge. This dish is perfect served alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp salad for a complete, mouthwatering experience.

Brighten Up Flavor With Lemon Pepper and Herbs

• Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfectly golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Prep chicken seasoning and sauce ingredients ahead of time to slash cooking time and make dinner a breeze on busy evenings.
• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter, lower-calorie version that still maintains a creamy texture.
• Use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce and ensure the dish remains gluten-free without compromising on richness.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil to add an extra layer of aromatic complexity to the creamy lemon sauce.

Serving Skillet Chicken Hot and Golden Brown

• Elegant Dinner Plate Presentation: Arrange golden-brown chicken on a white ceramic plate, drizzle the creamy lemon sauce generously over the top, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a restaurant-quality visual appeal.
• Pairing Perfect Sides: Serve this zesty chicken over fluffy herb-infused rice or alongside roasted asparagus and garlic-roasted baby potatoes to create a complete, balanced meal that complements the lemon pepper flavors.
• Wine and Dine Companion: Choose a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that echoes the bright, tangy notes of the lemon sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience with a refreshing palate cleanser.
• Leftover Magic Transformation: Slice remaining chicken and toss into a fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette, or stuff into a warm wrap for a delicious next-day lunch option.

Meal Planning With Leftover Lemon Pepper Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keeps perfectly in the fridge for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious flavor and tender texture.
• Warm chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Low-medium heat works best, restoring the original creamy sauce and juicy chicken quality.
• Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Stays delectable for up to 2 months when sealed properly. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Prepare chicken in advance and portion into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches. Pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or quinoa, making weekday meals a breeze for busy home cooks.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 4

Tangy Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Tantalizing “Creamy Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken” brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Succulent chicken draped in velvety sauce promises a quick, elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

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Instructions

1. Seasoning & Searing: Season chicken breasts thoroughly with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature and sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
2. Crafting Lemon Cream Sauce: Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt butter. Quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic. Introduce chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Allow mixture to simmer and reduce for 2 minutes. Incorporate heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
3. Finishing Touch: Gently return seared chicken to the skillet, coating each piece with the luxurious lemon cream sauce. Allow chicken to warm through for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring sauce clings perfectly to the meat. Garnish with fresh parsley or additional lemon zest if desired. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and creamy.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown crust. Pat chicken with paper towels to remove excess moisture, creating a crispy exterior that locks in juices.
• Adjust lemon juice and zest according to personal taste. Start with less and taste the sauce, gradually adding more to prevent overpowering the creamy flavor.
• Whisk Parmesan cheese slowly and steadily into the sauce to prevent clumping. Use low-medium heat and continuous stirring for a silky, uniform consistency.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut cream or unsweetened almond milk. Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast to create a lactose-free version without compromising rich, creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 120mg