Description
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make skillet dish featuring juicy chicken breasts cooked in a luscious lemony Parmesan cream sauce. Perfectly seasoned and finished with fresh parsley, it’s a comforting meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional for extra flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Heat the skillet: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
- Cook the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the sauce: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard if using. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy lemon Parmesan sauce over them. Cook together for another 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken for a fresh pop of color and flavor before serving warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang but can be omitted if preferred.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables to complete the meal.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
