Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet

This dish features tender chicken breasts simmered in a silky lemon garlic cream sauce for a bright, comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s fast, flavorful, and pairs with pasta, rice, or bread.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Chicken breasts
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Olive oil
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Garlic, minced
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Lemon juice + zest
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Heavy cream
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Chicken broth
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Parmesan (optional)
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Salt, pepper
Directions
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Sear chicken in oil. Set aside.
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Sauté garlic, deglaze with broth + lemon.
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Add cream, simmer. Return chicken.
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Top with Parmesan if using.
Servings and timing
Serves 4
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Variations
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Add spinach
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Use chicken thighs
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Make spicy with chili flakes
Storage/reheating
Refrigerate 3 days. Reheat gently.
FAQs
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Can I use milk? Sauce will be thinner.
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Can I freeze? Not recommended.
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Can I use bottled lemon juice? Fresh is better.
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What sides work? Rice, pasta, veg.
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Can I add herbs? Yes—thyme or parsley.
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Dairy-free? Use coconut cream.
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Gluten-free? Yes.
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Thicken sauce? Reduce longer.
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Can I make ahead? Sauce fresh is best.
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Boneless thighs? Work great.
Conclusion
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet offers bright, rich flavors perfect for any night of the week.
PrintCreamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet features tender chicken breasts seared and simmered in a bright, zesty lemon garlic cream sauce for a comforting, flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add heavy cream and lemon zest. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return chicken to the skillet and cook for a few minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken. Top with Parmesan if using and serve warm.
Notes
- Pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
- For dairy-free, use coconut cream and omit Parmesan.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, creamy chicken skillet, one pan meal, easy chicken dinner