Zesty Lemon Chicken with Butter Sauce Recipe That Dazzles

Tangy and succulent, this lemon chicken with lemon butter sauce sings with bright Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

Zesty citrus notes perfectly complement the tender chicken, creating a delightful meal that comes together in minutes.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this simple yet elegant dish.

The golden-brown chicken emerges from the skillet with a crisp exterior and juicy interior.

butter and fresh lemon create a velvety sauce that adds incredible depth to every bite.

Fresh herbs sprinkled on top bring an extra layer of aromatic goodness.

You’ll love how quickly this restaurant-quality meal comes together on your dinner table.

Serving Chicken with Sides That Work

• Pair with Zesty Side Salad: Complement the tangy chicken with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich lemon butter sauce.
• Serve Over Fluffy Grains: Spread the chicken and sauce over steamed rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious lemony flavors and create a complete meal.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top to add a bright, fresh note and enhance the visual appeal of the dish.
• Create a Mediterranean Spread: Accompany the chicken with roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini to transform the meal into a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired feast.

Saving Chicken While Keeping It Juicy

• Maximize Meal Prep: Refrigerate cooked chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days, keeping flavors fresh and textures intact.
• Freeze with Finesse: Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for convenient storage up to 2 months, ensuring minimal freezer burn.
• Reheat Smartly: Warm chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of broth to maintain moisture, or use microwave in short intervals to prevent drying out.
• Sauce Survival Tips: Store lemon butter sauce in a sealed container, stirring well before reheating slowly over low heat to prevent separation and preserve creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 374 kcal

Servings: 5

Lemon Chicken with Butter Sauce: Ingredient List

• Chicken Breasts: Fresh, boneless cuts perfect for even cooking with delicate texture.
• Eggs: Binding agent to help breading stick and create golden crispy exterior.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, nutty flavor and creates crisp, flavorful coating.

• Parmesan Cheese: Provides delightful crunch and deep savory notes.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle spicy warmth and enhances overall seasoning.

• Butter: Creates silky, luxurious sauce base with rich, creamy consistency.
• Garlic: Infuses deep, aromatic flavor and adds complexity to sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and enhances sauce's savory profile.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, zesty tang and balances richness of sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even golden browning.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish for fresh, vibrant color and herbal notes.
• Lemon Slices: Decorative element that signals dish's citrusy character and adds visual appeal.

Tools to Prep This Tangy Chicken Dish

• Large Skillet: Essential for perfectly browning chicken with even heat distribution.
• Meat Mallet: Crucial for flattening chicken breasts to consistent thickness.
• Saucepan: Needed for creating smooth, fragrant lemon butter sauce.
• Mixing Bowls (2): One for egg mixture, another for Parmesan breading.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending egg mixture smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for slicing chicken.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise chicken preparation.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Cooking Lemon Chicken with Zing

• Chicken Preparation

Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner, even pieces. Gently pound each slice to ensure uniform thickness.

• Coating Magic

Create two separate bowls: one with whisked eggs and another with a zesty Parmesan blend. Lovingly dunk each chicken piece first into the egg mixture, then generously roll in the cheesy coating.

• Golden Sizzle

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken pieces until they transform into a beautiful golden color, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

• Luxurious Sauce

In a separate pan, melt butter with fragrant garlic. Pour in bright lemon juice, savory chicken broth, and a touch of pepper. Let the mixture simmer and develop rich flavors for a couple of minutes.

• Final Touch

Artfully drizzle the tangy sauce over the crispy chicken. Optional: Enhance presentation with fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Tips for Balancing the Butter & Lemon Notes

• Culinary Tips & Twists
• Use a meat mallet or heavy rolling pin to gently pound chicken to even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Add dried herbs like thyme or oregano to the Parmesan coating for an extra layer of Mediterranean-inspired flavor complexity.
• Swap chicken broth with white wine for a more sophisticated sauce profile, or use vegetable broth for a lighter alternative.
• Prepare breaded chicken pieces up to a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator to streamline weeknight dinner preparations.

Tangy Lemon Chicken With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Zesty Mediterranean lemon chicken with lemon butter sauce promises a quick, elegant dinner that blends bright citrus notes with tender poultry. Garlic, herbs, and silky sauce elevate this simple recipe for you to savor and enjoy.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 mL) ground black pepper
• 8 tbsps (113 g) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup (60 mL) lemon juice
• ¼ cup (60 mL) chicken broth

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Butterfly chicken breasts by slicing horizontally and gently pound to uniform 1/4-inch thickness, ensuring even cooking.
2. Coating Process: Create a seasoned Parmesan breading by mixing grated cheese, flour, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken cutlets in egg wash, then thoroughly coat with breading mixture, pressing gently to adhere completely.
3. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Carefully place breaded chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a golden-crisp exterior and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
4. Lemon Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter and quickly sauté minced garlic. Introduce chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and ground black pepper, simmering briefly to meld flavors and create a vibrant, aromatic sauce.
5. Serving: Plate the crispy chicken cutlets, generously drizzle with warm lemon butter sauce, and embellish with fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley for a bright, elegant presentation.

Notes

• Butterfly with Precision: Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create even cutlets, ensuring uniform cooking and tender texture throughout.
• Breading Technique Matters: Press Parmesan mixture gently onto chicken to create a crisp, even coating that locks in moisture and adds rich flavor.
• Temperature is Critical: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, preventing undercooking while maintaining juicy meat.
• Sauce Timing is Key: Prepare lemon butter sauce while chicken cooks to serve warm, maximizing flavor and preventing sauce from cooling down or separating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American-Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 374
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 187 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg