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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Chicken / Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Published April 14, 2020. Last updated May 26, 2021 by Lauren Vavala Harris

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Lemon Garlic Chicken is a one pan recipe that can be made in just 25 minutes. It’s incredibly flavorful and kid-friendly. This recipe is low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free.

Close up of 4 Lemon Garlic Chicken breasts in a skillet with lemon garlic sauce

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Lemon, garlic, and chicken are a delicious trio of flavors. There are so many different ways to enjoy this zesty combination.

My recipe for Creamy Lemon Chicken and Cauliflower has been very popular with those of you looking to cut carbs and calories.

I’ve also shared a recipe for Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice and Lemon Garlic Chicken and Orzo for those of you who do enjoy carbs.

This recipe for Lemon Garlic Chicken is full of the same lemony garlic flavor but allows for you to pick and choose your own side dishes to serve with it.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make. It’s perfect for when you’re short on time, but still want a super flavorful healthy dinner. It’s all made in one pan so clean up is quick and easy too!

This is an easy family-friendly meal that kids love as much as adults.

As written the recipe is low carb, keto diet friendly, and naturally gluten free.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ingredients needed to make Lemon Garlic Chicken sitting out over a white background

To make this recipe you will need chicken breasts (or thighs, if preferred), chicken stock, a lemon, a shallot, garlic, heavy cream, parsley, butter, salt, and pepper.

Tip: try to find smaller or thinner chicken breasts. Thicker cuts of chicken will need to be finished in the oven, which will take a little bit longer.

Full ingredient amounts and printable instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Prep!

Mince the garlic, shallot, and parsley. Zest and juice a lemon.

Create!

4 seared chicken breasts in a black skillet over a white background

Melt half of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season both sides of the chicken with the salt and pepper and add to the skillet.

Cook on the first side for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.

Tip: the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F and no longer be pink in the center. See the notes section of the recipe card at the bottom of this post for how to finish larger chicken breasts in the oven.

Remove the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Garlic and shallots cooking in a black skillet over a white background

Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet, then add the garlic and shallots.

Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent, scraping up any brown bits.

Lemon Garlic Sauce in a skillet over a white background

Pour in the chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy whipping cream.

Bring to a boil until reduced by half and thickened, about 2 minutes, then reduce heat to simmer.

Place the chicken back in the pan, spooning the lemon garlic sauce over it. Heat until warmed through.

Present!

Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts in a skillet with lemon garlic sauce and garnished with lemon and parsley. There is a blue and white napkin, a lemon, a bulb of garlic, and fresh parsley on the white background around the pan

Garnish with the parsley and lemon slices, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • Chicken needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. If your chicken breasts are larger, they may need to be finished in the oven. Cook the chicken as instructed in the directions. After replacing it back in the pan with the sauce, transfer it to the oven preheated to 350°F until it’s finished cooking. The time needed will depend on the thickness of the chicken.
  • You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. The cooking time will vary depending on the how thick they are.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days.

FAQ’s

What Do You Serve With Lemon Garlic Chicken?

Lemon Garlic Chicken can be paired with so many side dishes. Try it with rice, orzo pasta, or mashed potatoes. Vegetables that pair well with this dish include broccoli, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts.

How Do You Know When Chicken Is Done Cooking?

Chicken is done cooking when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is no longer pink in the center. You can use an oven thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest part of the chicken to check the temperature.

More Garlic Chicken Recipes to Try

Can’t get enough garlicky chicken? I don’t blame you!

Garlic Chicken in a Black Skillet

Try out this Easy Garlic Chicken. It’s a great go-to recipe when you’re not sure what to make. It’s made with simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

You might also enjoy this Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe or switch things up a bit with these crispy, sweet and spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders.

Love this Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

 

Close up of 4 Lemon Garlic Chicken breasts in a skillet with lemon garlic sauce
Print

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken is a one pan recipe that can be made in just 25 minutes. It’s incredibly flavorful and kid-friendly. This recipe is low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 25 minutes minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 239kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter * divided
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic * minced
  • 1 shallot * minced
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • zest from one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup parsley * minced
  • lemon slices * optional

Instructions

  • Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Season both sides of the chicken with the salt and pepper and add to the skillet.
  • Cook for 4-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. See notes for how to finish larger chicken breasts in the oven.
  • Remove the chicken and place on a plate. Tent with foil to keep warm.
  • Add the remaining butter to the skillet.
  • Once melted, add the garlic and shallots and cook for 1-2 minutes until translucent, scraping up any brown bits.
  • Pour in the chicken stock, lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy whipping cream.
  • Bring to a boil until reduced by half and thickened, about 2 minutes, then reduce heat to simmer.
  • Place the chicken back in the pan to warm, spooning the lemon garlic sauce over it.
  • Garnish with the parsley and lemon slices, if desired.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Chicken needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. If your chicken breasts are larger, they may need to be finished in the oven. Cook the chicken as instructed in the directions. After replacing it back in the pan with the sauce, transfer it to the oven preheated to 350°F until it’s finished cooking. The time needed will depend on the thickness of the chicken.
  • You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. The cooking time will vary depending on the how thick they are.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 635IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Chicken, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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