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Lemon Chicken with Best Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.3 from 48 reviews

Tender lemon chicken breasts paired with a rich and tangy lemon butter sauce, offering a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breast (2 large), patted dry with paper towels
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (to sauté)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 garlic clove (minced)
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

Lemon Butter Sauce

  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Garnish (optional)

  • 1 tbsp parsley (to garnish)
  • 1/2 lemon (sliced for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Lightly beat with a meat mallet until they are even in thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
  2. Make the coating mixtures: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to create the egg mixture. In another bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and all-purpose flour for the parmesan mixture.
  3. Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the egg mixture, then dredge it in the parmesan mixture. Allow any excess coating ingredients to fall off.
  4. Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until hot enough to sizzle. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165˚F. Reduce heat if the chicken browns too quickly to avoid burning.
  5. Prepare the lemon butter sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a separate saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and black pepper, simmering for about 2 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
  6. Combine and garnish: Pour the lemon butter sauce over the cooked chicken, turning the pieces gently to coat them well. Garnish with lemon slices and finely chopped parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked to 165˚F for food safety.
  • Adjust the lemon juice quantity based on preference for more or less tartness in the sauce.
  • For a crispier crust, do not overcrowd the skillet and cook chicken in batches if necessary.
  • Butter and garlic can burn if cooked on too high heat; keep saucepan on medium to medium-low heat.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or mashed potatoes.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American