Description
This Creamy Lemon Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious lemon-infused cream sauce. The combination of garlic, fresh lemon zest, and juice creates a bright, tangy flavor balanced by the richness of heavy cream. Perfect for an easy yet elegant weeknight meal, this dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Season and Sear Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the heavy cream, then add the lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them. Cover and let simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C) and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream.
- Serve with steamed rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious lemon cream sauce.
- Ensure the skillet is hot before searing the chicken to achieve a nice golden crust.
- Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled for the best flavor.
- To make this dish gluten-free, confirm all ingredients are gluten-free, especially the cream.
