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creamy lemon garlic chicken - featured image

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

  • Author: SOFIA
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A quick and easy 30-minute weeknight meal featuring juicy chicken thighs in a rich, tangy lemon garlic sauce. This one-pan dish is kid-approved, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 3–4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken in a single layer (in batches if necessary) for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over chicken and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. Pair with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

Notes

Do not crowd the pan when searing chicken to ensure a good crust. Scrape the fond from the bottom of the pan to build flavor in the sauce. Keep heat low when adding cream to prevent separation. Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts for juiciness. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 2
  • Sodium: 420
  • Fat: 32
  • Saturated Fat: 14
  • Carbohydrates: 6
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 35

Keywords: chicken thighs, lemon garlic sauce, creamy chicken, weeknight dinner, easy recipes, one pan meal, gluten-free option

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Find it online: https://cookazu.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-chicken-easy-30-minute-weeknight-meal/