Description
Succulent garlic lemon chicken breast delivers Mediterranean magic on dinner plates. Zesty herbs and bright citrus notes create a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 chicken breasts
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 7 cloves garlic (5 chopped, 2 whole)
- 1 large onion
- Fresh parsley
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup water or broth
- 1/2 cup cream
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by making shallow, diagonal cuts across the surface to enhance flavor absorption and ensure even cooking.
- Season chicken generously with salt and pepper on both sides, allowing the seasoning to penetrate the meat for at least 5 minutes before cooking.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high temperature, combining oil and butter to create a flavorful cooking medium that prevents sticking and adds richness.
- Crush whole garlic cloves and add to the hot pan, releasing their aromatic oils for approximately 30 seconds before introducing chicken fillets.
- Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside, keeping it warm while preparing the sauce in the same skillet to capture all developed flavors.
- Sauté finely chopped onions until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook briefly to prevent burning and release maximum flavor.
- Deglaze the pan with fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to incorporate deep, caramelized notes into the sauce.
- Pour in water or broth, then add chopped parsley, a pinch of nutmeg, and additional seasoning to build layers of complexity in the sauce.
- Stir in cream to create a silky, luxurious texture, then return chicken to the pan and simmer for 10-12 minutes, allowing the meat to absorb the sauce’s flavors.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with fresh parsley and serving immediately, ensuring the chicken remains tender and the sauce maintains its creamy consistency.
Notes
- Prevent chicken from drying by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F without overcooking.
- Score chicken fillets diagonally to create deeper flavor absorption and more even cooking surface.
- Enhance protein absorption by marinating chicken in lemon juice and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking to tenderize and infuse flavors.
- Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version or using Greek yogurt for lower-fat alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg