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Italian Lemon Chicken

Italian Lemon Chicken

Italian Lemon Chicken is a quick, flavorful dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts cooked in a bright lemon garlic sauce with fresh herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, this healthy and easy recipe brightens up weeknight dinners with minimal ingredients and maximum taste.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (evenly sized)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Juice of 2 fresh lemons
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides to ensure a flavorful crust and juicy interior once cooked.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the pan, sautéing until fragrant but not burned, about 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and freshly squeezed lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  4. Combine and Finish: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top. Cook for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors together. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving for a fresh finish.

Notes

  • Even sizing: Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness for even cooking.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook chicken in batches if necessary to avoid steaming.
  • Fresh lemons matter: Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright citrus flavor.
  • Deglaze well: Scrape up browned bits after searing for a richer sauce.
  • Rest the chicken: Let cooked chicken rest a few minutes before serving to retain juices.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Searing and Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: Italian lemon chicken, easy chicken recipes, lemon garlic chicken, gluten free chicken, quick dinner