Description
Easy & Delicious Lemon Garlic Chicken is a golden, skillet-seared chicken dish coated in a buttery garlic herb sauce with fresh lemon juice. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual family gatherings. I love making it with boneless chicken breasts, fresh garlic, and parsley—it’s a simple recipe that feels like comfort food. Also called skillet garlic lemon chicken or lemon herb chicken, there are both creamy and non-creamy versions, and I’ve tested both for flavor and ease. This one, with a bright pan sauce, works beautifully every time. Compared to baked or grilled alternatives, lemon garlic chicken stands out for its quick stovetop method, bold flavor, and minimal cleanup. It’s ideal for home cooks looking for a flavorful, fast, and nourishing main dish.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
5 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
0.5 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
1 lemon thinly sliced
Instructions
1. Bring the chicken to room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
6. Add butter to the skillet, followed by minced garlic.
7. Cook garlic until fragrant and lightly golden.
8. Pour in lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping up browned bits.
9. Return the chicken to the skillet with lemon slices.
10. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and chicken is cooked through.
11. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and thyme.
12. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use fresh garlic and lemon for best flavor.
Do not overcrowd the pan—sear in batches if needed.
Rest the chicken before slicing to retain juices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, skillet chicken, garlic herb chicken, weeknight chicken, quick chicken recipe