Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet
Comforting, flavorful, and perfect for an easy weeknight entrée
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet is the kind of entrée that feels a little elevated without being complicated. Juicy, pan-seared chicken is simmered in a silky lemon-garlic cream sauce that’s rich but balanced, bright without being sharp. It’s cozy, satisfying, and comes together in one pan—exactly the kind of meal you make when you want real flavor without a lot of cleanup.
This dish pairs beautifully with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or a simple vegetable side.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Creamy Lemon Sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup chicken broth
¾ cup heavy cream
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken
1. Season and Sear the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Build the Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using.
3. Simmer and Finish
Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot with your favorite sides to soak up that creamy sauce.
Why This Chicken Entrée Works
Juicy, well-seasoned chicken
Creamy sauce with bright lemon balance
One-pan, weeknight-friendly cooking
It’s comforting enough for a quiet dinner at home but impressive enough to serve guests.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet is a dependable, flavor-forward entrée that never feels heavy or boring. It’s the kind of chicken dish you’ll come back to again and again—simple, satisfying, and built around ingredients that just work together.
