Description
Zesty lemon pepper chicken dances with creamy elegance, bringing Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Tender chicken breasts drizzled in tangy sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Carefully butterfly the chicken breasts to create even, thin cutlets, ensuring uniform cooking and optimal seasoning absorption.
- Generously coat each chicken piece with a harmonious blend of salt, lemon pepper, and garlic powder, massaging the spices into the meat for maximum flavor penetration.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature, allowing the surface to become thoroughly hot before adding a thin layer of cooking oil.
- Gently place seasoned chicken cutlets into the skillet, allowing them to sear undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Flip the chicken and continue cooking the opposite side, reducing heat if needed to prevent burning while maintaining a crisp exterior.
- Remove perfectly cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate, keeping warm and preserving the precious cooking juices.
- In the same skillet, add heavy cream, chicken broth, and freshly squeezed lemon juice, whisking continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce.
- Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop rich, complex flavors while scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the pan.
- Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the creamy lemon pepper sauce to ensure complete flavor integration.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a vibrant, aromatic finishing touch before serving immediately.
Notes
- Thin chicken ensures even cooking and prevents dry, tough meat.
- Use a meat mallet or bottom of a heavy skillet to uniformly flatten chicken breasts for consistent texture.
- Opt for fresh lemon zest and cracked black pepper for more vibrant, intense flavor compared to pre-mixed seasoning blends.
- Low-sodium diets can replace salt with herbs like thyme or rosemary for added depth without increasing sodium content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 24g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 150mg