Bright, buttery, and packed with flavor — lemon garlic butter chicken is simple but tastes restaurant-quality. 🍋🧄🍗 Perfect for weeknights but elegant enough for guests.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp butter (divided)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1️⃣ Season the Chicken
- Pat chicken dry.
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2️⃣ Sear
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal temp).
- Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce
- Lower heat to medium.
- Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and garlic.
- Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown).
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice.
- Stir in lemon zest and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly reduced.
4️⃣ Finish
- Return chicken to skillet.
- Spoon sauce over top and simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Serve With
- Rice or creamy mashed potatoes
- Roasted vegetables
- Pasta tossed in the lemon butter sauce
- Steamed asparagus or broccoli
🔥 Pro Tips
- Pound chicken evenly for quicker, even cooking.
- Add a splash of heavy cream for a creamy lemon butter sauce.
- Want crispier edges? Lightly dredge chicken in flour before searing.
If you’d like, I can give you a one-pan baked version with potatoes and green beans or a creamy lemon garlic butter chicken pasta next.
