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This creamy lemon chicken recipe is fast, simple, and uses everyday pantry ingredients. You will love the tangy lemon sauce, and the chicken melts in your mouth!
Try my Creamy Lemon Chicken Tortellini Soup or Easy Chicken Piccata next.
Why you’ll love it
Lemon, cream, butter, and chicken are one undeniably delicious combo. This lemon chicken recipe is ready in just 25 minutes for a showstopping meal any night of the week! It’s perfect for fancier occasions as well if you’re in search of a dish for easy entertaining.
The velvety, creamy lemon sauce in this rich yet zesty chicken recipe is lick-the-plate good. It really doesn’t get much easier to make it with a few pantry staples, and it’ll be your new favorite way to enjoy golden pan-fried chicken breasts. It’s effortless and quick!
What you’ll need
- Chicken – we’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Garlic powder – along with salt & pepper, we’re giving the chicken itself plenty of savory flavor
- Flour – it gives the cutlets that irresistible crust
- Butter and olive oil – for pan frying and the base of the sauce
- Chicken broth – another layer of flavor
- Lemon juice – for that tangy citrus quality
- Heavy cream – real cream is what makes the sauce luxurious and elegant
- Parsley – for a burst of freshness and contrast
Pro tip
Cutting chicken breasts in half lengthwise keeps them tender, and they cook faster and more evenly as well.
How to make creamy lemon chicken
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cut the chicken into cutlets, and season with salt & pepper and the garlic powder. Dredge in flour. Pan-fry the chicken on both sides in the oil and butter until golden, then transfer to a plate. Add the broth and lemon juice to the skillet.
Cook for a minute, and scrape up the browned bits from the skillet. Add the heavy cream, and return the chicken to the pan. Let it simmer until thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Add more salt & pepper if needed, and garnish with parsley.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I recommend using an instant read meat thermometer. It’s inexpensive and ensures you never have overdone or underdone chicken. Chicken is safe at 165F. Keep in mind the temperature will rise a bit after you stop cooking it.
- Add a little bit of lemon zest to amp up the brightness using a Microplane.
- Here are the angled measuring cups pictured.
Substitutions and variations
- If you want to leave the garlic powder out, you can, but it adds an extra layer of flavor to this dish that I just love. It’s definitely not overpowering at all. If you’re big into garlic, feel free to sprinkle on a bit extra.
- This chicken is fairly lemony, so if you want a more subtle lemon flavor, I recommend using less lemon juice.
- Feel free to substitute all or half of the chicken broth with dry white wine (e.g. pinot gris or sauvignon blanc).
What to serve with creamy lemon chicken
- I love drizzling the sauce over my Garlic Mashed Potatoes or rice.
- Vegetable-wise, my Stovetop Asparagus, steamed green beans or broccolini, sweet corn, Easy Roasted Cauliflower, or Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes pair fabulously.
- You could even cut up the chicken into strips and serve it over pasta.
Leftovers and storage
- Store leftovers of this creamy lemon chicken for 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Heat it up over a low heat on the stovetop until warmed through, but don’t overcook the chicken.
- I don’t recommend freezing this one due to the dairy.
More easy chicken recipes
If you gave this chicken with a creamy lemon sauce a try, please leave a star rating and review below! I also love seeing your S&L creations when you tag me on Instagram.
Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
- Salt & pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Flour for dredging
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Slice your chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 thinner cutlets. Generously season them with salt & pepper on both sides, and sprinkle the garlic powder on both sides evenly. Dredge them in flour.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and olive oil. When the pan's hot, add the chicken and cook it for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden. Take the chicken out of the pan and transfer to a plate.
- Add the chicken broth and lemon juice to the pan, and let it cook for about a minute (make sure to scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan).
- Add the cream to the skillet, then add the chicken back in. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes or so, until the cream thickens up a bit and the chicken is cooked through completely.
- Add more salt & pepper if needed and sprinkle parsley over top if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You could swap the chicken broth with dry white wine if desired.
- I don’t recommending swapping the cream for half-and-half or milk because the lemon juice may cause the sauce to separate/curdle.
- Before serving, I sometimes will grate some lemon zest and stir it into the sauce, but this is totally optional.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Could I substitute Plain greek yougurt for the heavy cream?
Hi! I really wouldn’t. It’ll taste completely different, the texture will be off, and it’ll likely curdle.
I sub cashew milk for heavy cream in everything now.
Found the sauce very heavy and bland. I might reverse the cream/ broth proportions next time. Also very white – I added broccoli which was delicious and more visual appealing. (Added to the pasta water half thru cooking)
This was amazing!! I’m adding this to my low carb menu.
I also tried the Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup recipe, for my carb day and that was amazing also.
Great! I’m so pleased you enjoyed both recipes, Brent!
Sounds delicious!! I’m going to prepare it this evening. Going to serve with couscous.
Hope you love it, Suzanne! 🙂
Delicious! Made it with risotto and could literally drink the sauce. Another great recipe! Thank you
You’re very welcome!! 🙂
Absolutely loved it! Served it over Angel hair pasta. Had some chicken left over but no sauce, so made half the sauce recipe and added it to the chicken the next night for dinner. Comfort food at it’s best!
Wonderful!! So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your review! 🙂
You are wonderful cook-Making the chicken for dinner tomorrow. 1-4-2l
Thank you! Enjoy.
What temp am i looking for on my instant read thermometer?
For chicken it’s safe at 165F. Temp will rise a bit after you stop cooking it, though. If you’re a bit over 165F then it’ll still be tender, but don’t go too much over.
This Easy Creamy Lemon Chicken recipe was so delicious! I served it with mashed potatoes and peas and biscuits. I will be adding this recipe to my regular rotation. Thank you!
Wonderful!! You’re welcome.
This was easy and fabulous! Added the lemon zest for the extra zing! Served it over angel hair pasta. Thank you for another delicious recipe.
Wonderful!! So glad it was a hit. 🙂