Ohhh yes 🍋🧄🧈 — Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken is bright, buttery, and packed with flavor. This is a quick skillet recipe that gives you juicy chicken and a silky pan sauce.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
- 1½ lbs chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter (divided)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley, lemon slices
Instructions
1. Season & Sear Chicken
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken 4–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F).
- Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
2. Make Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet.
- Add garlic and sauté 30–45 seconds (don’t burn it).
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly reduced.
3. Finish
- Stir in remaining 2 tbsp butter until melted and glossy.
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over it.
- Simmer 2–3 minutes to coat and reheat.
4. Serve
- Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
- Spoon extra sauce over the chicken.
Pro Tips
- Thighs = juicier, breasts = leaner (both work great).
- Want it creamy? Add ¼ cup heavy cream at the end.
- Want a little heat? Add red pepper flakes.
- Perfect with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or roasted veggies.
If you want, I can give you a one-pan lemon garlic butter chicken with pasta, a baked version, or a creamy lemon garlic chicken that’s restaurant-level.
