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Lemon Chicken with Butter Sauce

Lemon Chicken with Butter Sauce
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Lemon Chicken with Butter Sauce is a vibrant and tangy dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs seared to golden perfection and coated in a rich, silky lemon butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe combines fresh lemon zest and juice with aromatic garlic and savory chicken broth, finished with fresh parsley for color and flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or vegetables and suits gluten-free diets.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs

Citrus

  • 1 large fresh lemon, zested and juiced

Dairy and Fat

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Aromatics and Seasoning

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Liquid

  • ½ cup chicken broth or stock (gluten-free if needed)

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to build flavor from the start.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Make the Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet bottom to add depth of flavor.
  4. Add Lemon and Butter: Stir in the lemon juice and zest. Add the cold butter cubes gradually while stirring constantly to emulsify the sauce into a smooth and silky texture.
  5. Finish Cooking the Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and has absorbed the sauce flavors.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken before serving for a fresh herbal aroma and vibrant color. Optionally, add thin lemon slices for garnish.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemons for the brightest citrus flavor; bottled lemon juice is a less ideal substitute.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches if necessary.
  • Add cold butter cubes slowly while whisking to ensure a silky, well-emulsified sauce.
  • Let the cooked chicken rest a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Simmer the sauce longer if you prefer it thicker or add extra broth if it reduces too much.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken, butter sauce, quick dinner, gluten-free, easy recipe, weeknight meal, chicken thighs, chicken breasts

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/lemon-chicken-with-butter-sauce/