🍋 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, clean flavor thanks to fresh lemon + garlic
- Quick weeknight dinner that feels restaurant-quality
- Versatile: serve with potatoes, veggies, pasta, or salad
- Light & healthy: made with whole ingredients
- Meal-prep friendly: reheats beautifully and stays juicy
This juicy Lemon Garlic Chicken is pan-seared and finished with a zesty lemon-garlic sauce. Simple, bright, and flavorful, it’s perfect for healthy dinners or meal prep.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Cook Temperature: Medium-High (stovetop)
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3–4
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or chicken tenders
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter (optional for richness)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Lemon Sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or water)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Optional: 1 tbsp heavy cream for a creamy version
Optional Sides
- Roasted potatoes
- Sautéed green beans
- Zucchini rounds
- Steamed vegetables
Directions
- Prep the chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat the pan: Add olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken:
- Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Add butter during the last minute for extra flavor (optional).
- Make the lemon garlic sauce:
- Lower heat to medium.
- Add garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth.
- Stir and scrape any browned bits from the pan.
- Add cream for a creamy version (optional).
- Combine: Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the top.
- Serve: Plate with roasted veggies, potatoes, or your favorite sides.
Recipe Notes & Variations
Variations
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken: Add 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or coconut cream.
- Low-carb: Serve with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
- Extra lemony: Add more zest or finish with fresh lemon slices.
- Herb-forward: Add rosemary or thyme sprigs while cooking.
Tips
- Don’t overcook chicken — remove as soon as internal temp reaches 165°F.
- Let chicken rest 2–3 minutes for juicier results.
- If sauce gets too thick, add a splash more broth.
🍽️ Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
(Assuming the recipe makes 2 servings — values shown are for 1 serving)
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 42g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sodium: 360mg
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 4% DV
- Vitamin C: 28% DV
- Calcium: 2% DV
- Iron: 6% DV
- Potassium: 520mg
Tools You’ll Need
- Non-Stick or Cast Iron Skillet – Get on Amazon
- Chef’s Knife – Get on Amazon
- Cutting Board – Get on Amazon
- Zester or Microplane – Get on Amazon
- Measuring Spoons – Get on Amazon
- Tongs – Get on Amazon
