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Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken

Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken
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Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken is a quick and elegant dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts simmered in a luscious lemon cream sauce infused with fresh herbs. Ready in just 30 minutes, it perfectly balances rich creaminess with bright, zesty flavors, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, chopped (such as parsley, thyme, rosemary)
  • Additional salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper to ensure even seasoning and a golden crust when seared. Set aside while preparing other ingredients.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside; they will finish cooking later.
  3. Build the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let the mixture simmer for about 1 minute to slightly reduce.
  4. Stir in Cream and Herbs: Gradually whisk in the heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly. Add chopped fresh herbs such as parsley and thyme, then season with salt and pepper to balance the creaminess and acidity.
  5. Finish Cooking the Chicken: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning sauce over them. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender. The sauce will thicken further and coat the chicken beautifully.

Notes

  • Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure better browning and a crisp exterior.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright and zesty flavor; avoid bottled lemon juice.
  • Don’t rush the sear; allowing a golden crust to develop locks in juices and flavor.
  • If sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of chicken broth or water.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their vibrant color and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken, lemon chicken, creamy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, one pan chicken, herb chicken

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/creamy-lemon-herb-chicken/