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Lemon Garlic Chicken

This skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is a healthy meal idea that’s ready in 30 minutes! Your whole family will love the creamy garlic sauce and zesty fresh lemon in this easy keto chicken dinner.

Never make boring chicken again! This Chicken Mushroom Recipe is another one pan recipe with bold, exciting flavor. You’ll love our Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken too!

Skillet with chicken and lemon garlic sauce.

Why This Chicken is Best

This Lemon Garlic Chicken is one of those meals that’s easy to make but impressive enough to serve at a dinner party.

  • Everything comes together in one skillet.
  • Served with the creamiest garlic lemon sauce.
  • Low carb, high protein and unbelievably flavorful.
  • A perfect weeknight dinner!

I love when low carb recipes taste like indulgent comfort food. Today’s skillet chicken recipe definitely fits the bill! Everyone at the table, even the carb lovers, raved over this chicken and went back for seconds.

If you love this easy dinner, try our lemon butter tilapia next!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make lemon garlic chicken.
  • Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are best.
  • Chicken broth – Check the label to ensure no added sugars or flours. You’d be surprised how many brands sneak those in!
  • Garlic – Peeled, minced fresh garlic cloves are a MUST.
  • Heavy cream – Real cream is another essential. It creates a thick, rich sauce that makes this chicken irresistible.
  • Parmesan – Because every cream sauce is better with cheese! Use freshly grated or shredded Parmesan for best flavor.
  • Lemon – The juice adds acidity and lemon flavor to the savory sauce. I also like to save some lemon wedges for serving with the chicken.
  • Herbs and spices – Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and some freshly chopped parsley complete the dish!

Tips and Tricks

Step by step photos showing how to make lemon garlic chicken.

Making this chicken is a simple process. You’ll brown the chicken, make the sauce in the same skillet, then add the chicken back to the sauce.

  • Use evenly sized chicken breasts. Pound the chicken breasts to about a half inch thickness to ensure they all cook evenly and thoroughly.
  • The sauce will reduce as it cooks. Don’t worry if the sauce looks watery at first. Give it about 10 minutes and it’ll turn into thickened, creamy perfection as the broth cooks down.
  • Garnish. Sprinkle fresh parsley and red pepper flakes over the chicken before serving.
  • Serving suggestions. Our Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe tastes delicious served over cauliflower mash. These roasted radishes are a delicious side with the chicken too.
Chicken breast with lemon garlic sauce on a plate with mashed cauliflower and broccoli.

Recipe FAQs

What does it mean to deglaze the pan?

Deglazing the skillet is a process that involves using a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape any remaining pieces of browned chicken stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Adding chicken broth or liquid to the hot skillet helps loosen the bits of chicken so they’re easier to remove.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover Lemon Garlic Chicken in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated. Reheat and enjoy within 3 days.

Can I use chicken tenderloins instead?

Chicken tenderloins are a great alternative to the chicken breast in this recipe. Make sure to pound them to even thickness so they cook at the same time.

How can I tell when the chicken breasts are done?

It’s important for the chicken breasts to cook all the way through before you combine it with the sauce. The best way to know if chicken is done is by inserting a meat thermometer into the center. The internal temperature of the chicken needs to reach at least 165 F to count as fully cooked.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

I don’t recommend it! Even whole milk contains significantly less fat than heavy cream and would result in a much thinner sauce with less creamy flavor.

More Gluten Free Chicken Dinners

This skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is a healthy meal idea that's ready in 30 minutes! Your whole family will love the creamy garlic sauce and zesty fresh lemon in this easy keto chicken dinner.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

This skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is a healthy meal idea that's ready in 30 minutes! Your whole family will love the creamy garlic sauce and zesty fresh lemon in this easy keto chicken dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 lemon, juiced (about 2 Tablespoons)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (or freshly shredded)
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 lemon, sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pound chicken breasts to even thickness, about 1/2-inch thick or less. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, add olive oil and heat for about a minute. Add in chicken and cook until browned on each side (and fully cooked through). Takes about 10 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a plate.
  3. To the skillet, add chicken broth and deglaze the skillet over medium heat. (see notes)
  4. Add lemon juice, garlic, and heavy cream to skillet with the chicken broth. Heat over medium heat, stirring often with a whisk, until slightly thickened and bubbly. The broth will reduce and the sauce will be a little less than what you started with. This process takes about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Add in parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth. Return chicken to skillet and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes until warmed.
  6. Garnish with parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, and lemon slices. ENJOY.

Notes

  • Deglazing the skillet entails using a wooden spoon or whisk to scrape up the bits of browned chicken off the bottom.
  • Use evenly sized chicken breasts. Pound the chicken breasts to about a half inch thickness to ensure they all cook evenly and thoroughly.
  • The sauce will reduce as it cooks. Don't worry if the sauce looks watery at first. Give it about 10 minutes and it'll turn into thickened, creamy perfection as the broth cooks down.
  • Garnish. Sprinkle fresh parsley and red pepper flakes over the chicken before serving.
  • Serving suggestions. Our Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe tastes delicious served over cauliflower mash. These roasted radishes are a delicious side with the chicken too.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 434Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 567mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 52g

Laura

Saturday 27th of April 2024

Thought it was delicious! Altered & added more herbs. YUM

Mary

Wednesday 29th of June 2022

Looks good. I'm going to try it with boneless thighs.

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