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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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