Description
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken is a luscious and flavorful main course featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, tangy lemon garlic Parmesan sauce. This skillet recipe balances creamy textures with fresh citrus notes, making it an ideal dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions. The sauce is made by simmering garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and zest, enhanced with Italian seasoning and fresh parsley, creating a perfect complement to the juicy chicken.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge the chicken in the all-purpose flour, then shake off any excess flour.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the flour-coated chicken breasts and sear each side for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to brown it. Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan to add flavor.
- Add Cream and Seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, so it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Finish Cooking the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken pieces and let everything simmer together for another 2–3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and fully coated in the creamy lemon Parmesan sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a pop of color and fresh flavor, if desired. Serve warm alongside your favorite pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
