EASY RECIPE WITH LEMON FLAVOR
Feeling bored with your usual chicken dishes? If you’re stuck making the same plain chicken breast every week, then it’s time to spice things with this Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken!
It’s savory with just the right amount of tartness and a hint of pepper, not to mention the mouthwatering pan sauce that you’ll be tempted to drizzle over everything on your plate.
This recipe is not only quick to make but also bursting with flavor—it’s sure to become a family favorite in no time!
Every recipe is carefully crafted in our Nashville Test Kitchen to make sure they’re simple, budget-friendly, and absolutely tasty.
husband and mother-in-law absolutely loved it! I added extra sauce by using half a lemon and a bit more butter, but stuck to the recipe otherwise.
My husband loved it so much, he wants it on the menu every week! And when my mother-in-law, who’s an amazing cook, raved about how tasty it was, I knew it was a winner. Thanks for the recipe!”
Also read : Mouthwatering Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers – Your New Favorite Summer Recipe
Which Chicken is Best to Use?
For this speedy skillet method, go for thin chicken pieces that cook up fast. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into thinner pieces, chicken tenders, thin-cut chicken breast, or even chicken thighs. Just a heads up—this approach isn’t great for bone-in chicken.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- Two boneless skinless chicken breasts weighing around 1.3 lbs in total ($6.79).
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour just $0.02
- Just 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning which costs around $.30.
- tablespoon of cooking oil just $0.04
- 1 clove garlic minced ($0.08)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth $0.07
- 1 Tbsp butter $0.14
- 1 tsp lemon juice $0.02
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley optional ($0.10)
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thin cutlets. Alternatively, you can use pre-sliced thin-cut chicken breasts.
Season the Chicken
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour and lemon pepper seasoning. Generously coat both sides of each chicken piece with the flour mixture, rubbing it in to ensure full coverage.
Sear the Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a splash of cooking oil. Once hot, place the seasoned chicken into the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until each piece is golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and cover it to keep warm.
Make the Sauce Base
- In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
Deglaze and Simmer
- Pour in the chicken broth and whisk well, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the lemon juice and let the sauce simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until it slightly thickens.
- Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed.
Finish and Serve
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the lemon garlic sauce over the top, and warm through for a couple of minutes.
- Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper and chopped parsley for a fresh touch.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 310 kcal |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugar | 0.7g |
| Cholesterol | 90mg |
| Sodium | 520mg |
Note: Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the brand and type of ingredients used.
Should I Use Fresh Lemon?
You bet! Although I added a few fresh lemon slices for (thanks to leftovers from another dish), fresh lemon isn’t actually necessary for this lemon pepper chicken. The zesty flavor mainly comes from the robust lemon pepper seasoning. Plus, the little bit of lemon juice used in the pan sauce can be the bottled kind.
What Exactly is Lemon Pepper Seasoning?
Lemon pepper seasoning is like a little jar of sunshine and zest! This delightful blend includes lemon zest, pepper, citric acid, and salt. You’ll be happy to know that most big-name spice brands and many store brands across the U.S. offer their own versions, making it easy to snag at your local grocery store. But hey, if you can’t find it, no worries! There are loads of fun recipes online to whip up your very own homemade lemon pepper seasoning.
Give your lemon pepper seasoning a quick check to see if it has salt in it. If it doesn’t, just be ready to sprinkle a bit more salt into the recipe to bring out the best flavors!
Fasty Sides to Pair with Lemon Pepper Chicken
I fully embraced the lemon theme and paired my Lemon Pepper with some delightful Lemon Parsley Pasta. However, it would also taste amazing alongside Sautéed Vegetables, a fresh Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad, Roasted Broccoli, zesty Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus, Spinach Rice with Feta, flavorful Spanish Chickpeas and Rice, or a vibrant Pasta Primavera.
Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
- Two boneless, skinless chicken breasts weighing around 1.3 lbs in total ($6.79).
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (just $0.02)
- Just 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning, which costs around $.30.
- tablespoon of cooking oil (just $0.04)
- 1 clove garlic, minced ($0.08)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth ($0.07)
- 1 Tbsp butter ($0.14)
- 1 tsp lemon juice ($0.02)
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional) ($0.10)
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.02)
Instructions
- a sharp knife and gently slice the chicken breasts in half to create two thinner pieces, or simply use thin-cut chicken breasts instead.
- the flour and lemon pepper seasoning in a bowl.
- Generously sprinkle this blend over both sides of the chicken breast pieces and give it a good rub until the chicken is completely covered.
- Warm up some cooking oil in a large skillet over medium. Once the skillet and oil are nice and hot, place the chicken pieces in and let them cook until they’re beautifully golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side.
- When the chicken is done, transfer it onto a clean plate and cover it up to keep it nice and warm.
- Toss in the butter and minced garlic into the skillet and let them sizzle together for around a minute.
- the chicken broth into the skillet and give it a good whisk to pick up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the lemon juice and let the sauce bubble away for 3-5 minutes until it thickens a bit.
- Give it a taste and sprinkle in some salt if you think it needs a little extra kick (I found it didn’t need any).
- Finally, pop the chicken back into the skillet and drizzle that yummy sauce right over it. Let it warm up nicely.
- A sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper and some chopped parsley (if you’re feeling fancy) will do the trick and then you’re all set to serve!
Curious about how we figure out the cost of recipes? Check out our process here.
to Prepare Lemon Pepper Chicken – A Step-by-Step Guide with Photos
ALSO READ : BANG BANG CHICKEN
Grab a trusty sharp knife and carefully slice those boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thinner sections—or opt for pre-sliced thin-cut chicken breasts if that’s more your style!
Mix together tablespoons of all-purpose flour and 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning in a bowl. Then, sprinkle this delightful blend over both sides of the chicken pieces.
Generously coat both sides of the chicken with the flour mixture, making sure each piece is covered evenly.
Warm up a tablespoon of cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. When it’s nice hot, add those chicken pieces and let them sizzle away until they’re golden brown—around 5 minutes per side should do the trick.
Once they’re cooked to perfection, move them to a clean plate and cover them up to keep them cozy and warm.
Toss a tablespoon of butter and a minced garlic clove into the skillet, and let the garlic s for about a minute.
Pour ½ cup of chicken broth into the skillet and give it a good whisk to loosen those delicious browned bits from the bottom.
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the mix and let the broth simmer for 3-5 minutes until it reduces a little. Go ahead and the sauce, and if it needs a touch more salt (though I didn’t find it necessary), feel free to add a pinch.
It really depends on the saltiness of your lemon pepper seasoning and broth.
Pop the chicken back into the skillet and drizzle that delicious sauce over the top. Let it warm up all the way through, which should just take a few minutes.
Sprinkle some freshly cracked pepper and a bit of chopped parsley on top (if you like), and it’s ready to serve!
lemon works its magic to keep the chicken super tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor! Enjoy!
ALSO READ : Huli Huli Hawaiian Grilled Chicken
FAQs About Lemon Pepper Chicken
Is it okay to use storeought lemon pepper seasoning?
Of course Store-bought lemon pepper seasoning is just fine for this recipe. But if you’re feeling adventurous, you can whip up your own by mixing lemon zest, cracked black pepper, and a pinch of salt to your liking.
How can I make sure my chicken is fully cooked?
To make sure your chicken is cooked to perfection, just grab meat thermometer and check that the internal temperature hits 165°F (75°C). No thermometer? No problem! Just slice into the thickest part of the chicken and look for it to be white and opaque, with no pink in sight.
Is it possible to prepare this in advance?
Absolutely! You can whip up your lemon pepper chicken ahead of time. Just tuck it away in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge, where it’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply warm it up in a over medium heat. A little splash of chicken broth will help keep it nice and juicy!