Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (2024)

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Lemon Garlic Chicken makes the perfect simple skillet meal that is ready in just 20 minutes! This easy chicken recipe is naturally low-carb and gluten free!

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (1)

One of the easiest weeknight meals are seasoned chicken breast paired with a pan sauce. We love Chicken Florentine, or this easy Rotel Chicken. This Lemon Garlic Chicken fits the bill perfectly, it is easy, cooks quickly and has basic ingredients you probably keep on hand. Just in case you don’t cook skillet chicken often, I’ve documented the entire process so you can make this easy lemon chicken at home!

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • KID FRIENDLY – Crispy, parmesan-crusted chicken with a simple lemon butter sauce should be a hit with even your pickiest eaters! If your kiddos won’t enjoy the lemon sauce you can easily skip the final step and only add part of the chicken back to the lemon sauce. Just be sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • VERSATILE – This recipe is excellent paired with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice dishes are pastas.
  • SIMPLE – Minimal ingredients and only one pan make this recipe super simple and perfect for busy evenings!
Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (2)

Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Chicken

  • Avocado oil: Any neutral oil, such as olive oil will work in this recipe.
  • Chicken breasts: For this recipe we cut a large, thick chicken breast into smaller thinner breasts. This ensures your chicken cooks quickly and evenly.
  • Eggs: size large eggs, you will use this to help the breading adhere to the chicken.
  • Almond flour: this is used for the breading.
  • Grated parmesan: the secret ingredient in the breading that ensures a crispy coating. Make sure you’re not using shredded parmesan as it will not hold well to the chicken.
  • Italian seasoning, Salt, and Pepper: this is used to flavor the breading.
  • Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter; if you use unsalted, you’ll want to add salt to taste.
  • Garlic: freshly minced garlic
  • Dry white wine: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris are all good dry white wines for cooking. You could also substitute chicken broth instead of wine if you prefer.
  • Lemon juice: For the juice, you can use bottled or squeeze 2 large lemons.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Chicken

In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need a large skillet, knife, cutting board, and a few shallow bowls.This is a recipe that cooks quite quickly so it is best to prep the ingredients ahead of time. Follow the step-by-step guide below to make the best lemon butter chicken:

Bread the Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (3)

Set up a breading station in two shallow bowls. In the first bowl, beat the eggs. In the second bowl whisk together the almond flour, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, this will be your crispy breading. Next, dredge each chicken breast in the beaten eggs, followed by the almond flour mixture, coating evenly on both sides. Be sure they are evenly coated so every bite of chicken is perfectly flavored.

Cook the Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (4)
Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (5)

Set a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot add the chicken and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until it’s golden brown and crisp. It is important to only flip the chicken once to prevent the breading from falling off. Once the chicken has been cooked transfer it to a plate and set aside.

Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (6)
Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (7)

In the same pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the minced garlic for about 30 seconds, or until it’s fragrant. Add the wine, scraping the pan to deglaze it, be sure to get any brown bits that might have stuck to the bottom of the pan. Next, stir in the lemon juice and the remaining butter. As the butter melts and the sauce cooks it will begin to thicken slightly.

Add the Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (8)

Once the sauce has reduced slightly and begun to thicken, add the chicken back to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165ºF. Be sure not to cover then pan, the build up of condensation will cause the breading to get soggy.

Serve

This dish is best served immediately, as the sauce can cause the breading to get soggy overtime. My suggestion is to serve this dish piping hot from the skillet with additional lemon wedges and parmesan. Some excellent side dish options include:

Storage and Reheating

Store the cooked lemon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results store the chicken and sauce separately. You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months, although it is best served fresh. When ready to use, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as desired.

To reheat this dish in the Oven: Place chicken on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat this dish in a skillet. Simply place chicken in a skillet on medium-low heat until warmed through, flipping halfway through for even reheating.

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (9)
Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (10)

Tips & Tricks

  • Use grated parmesan (the powdered kind) instead of shredded parmesan for the best crust.
  • If you feel like the breading isn’t sticking to the chicken well pop it in the oven for 15 minutes before cooking it in the skillet.
  • Only flip the chicken once to prevent the breading from sliding off.
  • Add extra lemon zest to the breading for a zesty kick.
  • If you want to serve this with pasta you can double the sauce.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use a different meat?

Yes, this will work with 1 inch pork chops, or tilapia. Just note the cooking times may be different. Use a meat thermometer to know when your protein is done.

Do I have to use the wine?

You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth in place of the wine if needed.

Can I use breadcrumbs?

Yes, panko breadcrumbs can be used in place of the almond flour if desired.

Other Skillet Meals

  • Tuscan Chicken Pasta: This one-pan Tuscan Chicken Pasta features juicy chicken, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy parmesan sauce.
  • Honey Garlic Chicken: This sweet and savory Honey Garlic Chicken is a one-pan recipe your entire family will love!
  • Jalapeno Chicken: This recipe is perfect for busy nights and easy keto meal prep!
  • Sausage and Butternut Squash Pasta: This Sausage and Butternut Squash Pasta features a creamy, lightened-up pasta sauce, fresh kale, and browned Italian sausage.

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (11)

Lemon Garlic Chicken

Lemon Garlic Chicken makes the perfect simple skillet meal that is ready in just 20 minutes! This easy chicken recipe is naturally low-carb and gluten-free!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 373 kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

Lemon Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

Instructions

  • Slice the chicken breast as if you are butterflying, but cut all the way through to make two thinner chicken breasts.

  • Set up a breading station with two bowls. In one bowl beat the eggs, in the second bowl combine the almond flour, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

  • Dredge each chicken breast in the beaten eggs, then the parmesan mixture, making sure it is coated on both sides.

  • Heat a large skillet to medium heat, and add the avocado oil. Brown the chicken for about 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

  • In the same pan add 1 tablespoon of butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the wine, scraping the pan to deglaze it. Add the lemon juice, and remaining butter to the skillet and stir.

  • When the sauce has reduced slightly add the chicken back to the skillet. and cook 2-3 minutes until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

  • Top with lemon wedges, parmesan, and parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 4.2gProtein: 31gFat: 20gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 189mgFiber: 0.7g

Keyword Chicken Breast

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Lemon Garlic Chicken - Best Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What does soaking chicken in lemon juice do? ›

Here's why: Lemon juice helps to tenderize meat, but when left for too long, it will break down the proteins too much, making the meat tough and rubbery… sometimes even mushy. So, if you want tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken, make sure to only marinate the chicken for 2-3 hours.

Do you put lemon juice on chicken before or after cooking? ›

Fip the chicken in the pan, then add fresh lemon juice, chicken stock, and more lemon zest to the skillet. Stir to scrape any stuck bits from the bottom of the pan, slide it into the oven, and bake until the chicken is cooked through (about 30 minutes).

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

Pounding helps tenderize the meat by breaking down its tough fibers. It also thins it out for more even cooking. Do this before frying, grilling, or roasting for better retention of moisture content. To tenderize chicken breast, place the meat on a durable, flat surface.

How long can chicken sit in lemon marinade? ›

Most recipes for marinating meat and poultry recommend six hours up to 24 hours. It is safe to keep the food in the marinade longer, but after two days it is possible that the marinade can start to break down the fibers of the meat, causing it to become mushy.

Should I soak chicken in milk before frying? ›

Most Southern fried chicken recipes start with a bath in a seasoned marinade of some sort, whether it's buttermilk, milk and eggs, or even pickle juice. Adding plenty of salt to this mixture can help your chicken stay moist. This works in the exact same manner as a brine.

Can you leave raw chicken in lemon juice overnight? ›

Important: If your marinade is full of fresh citrus or vinegar, like the one in this chicken skewers recipe, keep the marinating time below an hour for optimal results. Poultry marinated in citrus, like lemon or lime juices, or vinegars can turn mushy and stringy if left to soak for too long.

Can you put lemon juice in the oven? ›

If you're looking to get rid of some tough grease and dirt on the inside of your oven, try a little steam cleaning. Fill an oven-proof bowl with water. Take one or two lemons (limes would also work), cut them in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl. Place the bowl in the oven.

How long should you marinate chicken? ›

As a rule of thumb, you can marinate chicken anywhere from 15 minutes to 12 hours for bone-in chicken or 2 hours for boneless. Past 12 hours, you risk the ingredients of the marinade (such as sugar, acid, and salt) breaking down the muscle fibers in the meat, causing it to go overly soft or mushy.

Why is restaurant chicken so moist? ›

Restaurants use marinades made from a combination of acidic ingredients (such as vinegar, citrus juice, or yogurt) and flavorful herbs and spices. The acid in the marinade helps to break down the proteins in the chicken, making it more tender. Using breast or legs depending upon the dish.

How to make chicken super tender? ›

Brines and marinades help tenderize the meat by bringing more moisture in the protein. With that extra moisture, you lose less when you cook. The simplest way to do this is with a dry brine — unwrap the chicken breasts, salt them on both sides and let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour.

What is the best ingredient to tenderize chicken? ›

Using a marinade is a good way to achieve soft and tender chicken, with plain yogurt or buttermilk being the most commonly used marinades. The two contain acids and enzymes that combine to break the proteins and fiber in the chicken.

Can you buy lemon sauce for chicken? ›

Ben´s Original™ Lemon Chicken cooking sauce is free from artificial colours and preservatives, and helps you create a delicious and wholesome Chinese meal in no time.

How many lemons for 1/2 cup of juice? ›

2 1/2 Lemons = 1/2 Cup Lemon Juice. 4 Lemons = 3/4 Cup Lemon Juice. 5 1/4 Lemons = 1 Cup Lemon Juice.

What is velveting chicken? ›

Velvet chicken is a Chinese cooking technique where boneless, skinless chicken pieces are coated in a mixture of baking soda, cornstarch, wine, and seasoning, then briefly cooked resulting in tender, velvety chicken that easily absorbs sauces. In some methods, egg white is also included.

What are the benefits of marinating chicken with lemon juice? ›

What are the benefits of marinating chicken breast in lemon juice? Marinating chicken breast in lemon juice not only adds a refreshing citrus flavor but also helps tenderize the meat.

What does soaking meat in lemon juice do? ›

Lemon juice can be used to marinate meat, poultry, and fish.

The acid aids by tenderising the raw meat, thereby permitting the oil and spices to have an effect. Many marinades use vinegar as an acid substitute, but lemon juice is more effective as it also lends a citric flavour.

What is the purpose of lemon in chicken? ›

The benefits of the hot steaming lemon going into the chicken are very obvious as the meat tastes amazing, and the chicken cooks slightly quicker because of it.

Why do you wash chicken with lemon juice? ›

Like pickling, smoking, and curing, the practice of rinsing chicken with lemon juice probably started out as a way to neutralize any off-aromas in the meat and cut down on bacteria.

References

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