Delicious and flavorful, this Creamy Lemon Chicken recipe is the perfect easy weeknight meal made entirely in just one skillet and in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: easy chicken breast recipe, lemon chicken recipe, one skillet chicken dinner
4(1 to 1.5 pounds)boneless, skinless chicken breasts,pounded to about 1/2-inch thickness
salt and fresh ground black pepper,to taste
2teaspoonsItalian Seasoning
1tablespoonbutter
1poundasparagus,stalks trimmed and cut into thirds
1smallyellow onion,sliced
1cupHalf & Half,you can also use light half & half, heavy cream, or evaporated milk
½tablespoonall purpose flour
⅓cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1wholelemon, juiced
3clovesgarlic,minced
salt and fresh ground black pepper,to taste
lemon slices,for garnish
chopped parsley,for garnish
freshly grated parmesan,for garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and add it to the heated oil.
Cook the chicken for about 6 minutes per side or until no longer pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Add the butter to the skillet and melt it over medium heat. Add the asparagus and onions and cook for 4 minutes or until the asparagus is crisp-tender.
In the meantime, combine the half & half, flour, cheese, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl; whisk until thoroughly incorporated.
Whisk the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring to a slow boil while still whisking to prevent curdling.
Transfer the chicken back to the skillet and lower the heat to a simmer.
Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the asparagus is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Spoon the sauce over the chicken breasts and top with lemon slices.
Garnish with parsley and cheese, and serve.
Notes
To prevent curdling, continuously whisk the sauce and maintain medium heat when adding the sauce to the skillet, as high heat can cause dairy separation.
Choose chicken breasts of similar size for uniform cooking, and if they are thick, pound them to even thickness or slice them horizontally for thinner cutlets.
Enhance flavor with generous seasoning, adjusting salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste, and add lemon zest for extra zing. For vegetables, try asparagus, green beans, bell peppers, or spinach, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
For a richer sauce, consider using heavy cream instead of Half & Half for added creaminess and texture. If you're looking for a lighter option, low-fat Half & Half or evaporated milk are great substitutes that still provide a smooth, creamy consistency without the extra fat.