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Creamy Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken

Creamy Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken
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Creamy Lemon Pepper Skillet Chicken is a quick and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked in a zesty lemon pepper sauce enriched with heavy cream and garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of tangy lemon, bold black pepper, and rich creaminess, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, patted dry and cut to uniform thickness
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides to ensure a flavorful crust when searing.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on each side, about 4-5 minutes per side, ensuring they are nearly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Build the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and sauté minced garlic in the same skillet until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan for deeper flavor.
  4. Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, if using, ensuring it melts smoothly into the sauce.
  5. Return Chicken to Skillet: Place chicken breasts back into the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and let simmer for a few minutes so the chicken finishes cooking and absorbs the creamy lemon pepper flavors.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Notes

  • Bring chicken to room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking throughout.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed for a perfect sear and to avoid steaming.
  • Always use fresh lemon juice for the best bright, natural flavor.
  • Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent cream curdling and achieve perfect thickness.
  • If the sauce is too thick, thin it with extra chicken broth; if too thin, simmer longer to reduce.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon pepper chicken, creamy chicken skillet, quick chicken recipe, one-pan chicken, weeknight dinner, gluten free chicken

Find it online: https://withnora.com/creamy-lemon-pepper-skillet-chicken/