How to Make Lemon Chicken
I got a big bag of homegrown lemons from my good friend recently and decided to make this easy and amazing lemon chicken.
I love the light and citrusy flavors of lemon juice, and the natural tastes of the chicken intermingle together with it. It is absolutely delicious.
You can use chicken thighs or chicken breast, or even whole cut up chicken. First, season the chicken with a bit of salt and black pepper, then pan-fry to golden perfection on both sides.
Prepare the lemon sauce by using chicken broth and lemon juice. Finally, let the chicken simmer in the sauce. It’s that easy!
Ingredients for Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Chicken thighs
- Unsalted butter
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- White wine
- Lemon juice
- Parsley
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lemon Dry out Chicken?
Yes, it’s possible for lemon juice to dry out chicken. However, with the use of oil, it counters the drying effect of lemon juice. If this still does not work, feel free to use lemon pepper or lemon zest.
Can You Leave Chicken in Lemon Overnight?
Marinate no longer than 2 hours, because the lemon juice can work against the texture. It is recommended to not marinate for this recipe.
How Many Calories?
This recipe has 585 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
This dish is best served with pasta or rice. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Skillet Lemon Chicken
Lemon Chicken - one pan chicken pan-fried to golden perfection in buttery lemon sauce. Easy lemon chicken recipe that is perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic lightly smashed
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
Directions
-
1Season the chicken with some salt and pepper.
-
2Heat up a skillet and grease it with the olive oil. Pan-fry the chicken on both sides until nicely browned, but may not cooked through. Set aside on a plate.
-
3
Add the butter into the skillet and saute the garlic. Put the chicken back into the skillet (including the juice sipping out of the chicken), follow by the chicken broth, wine, lemon juice and salt.
-
4
Lower the heat and cover the skillet and let cook for about 10 minutes, turning the chicken over at 5 minutes mark. Top with some chopped parsley, turn off heat and serve immediately.
TAHARUDIN BALABADAN RACHMAN
Is the chicken pre cooked? in the recipe says that chicken broth needed. thank you very much for you’re reply..
Rasa Malaysia
Chicken is not cooked. Use canned chicken broth.
TAHARUDIN BALABADAN RACHMAN
any substitute for the wine? its okay if no white wine? about the butter, is it okay if i used the salted?
thanks
Racky
Rasa Malaysia
Skip wine and yes on salted butter.
Yeh Ximin
Becki
Hello Rasa, I’m making this tonite. What about adding a little flour to thicken the sauce? Would that work?
Rasa Malaysia
You can, but I skip the traditional method of adding flour because I don’t like the taste from the flour and the texture. You can reduce the sauce by simmering it down. To me, this is much better than using flour to taint the natural taste of the sauce! :)
Becki
Hello Rasa, I’m making this tonite. Could I add a little flour to thicken the sauce?
naomi
can i just throw all the ingredients together in a pan to bake?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes you can!
Stephanie Bell
This is my second time making this dish.. I love love how easy and delicious it was.. Keep them coming! !
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Stephanie for trying my skillet lemon chicken recipe!
Robyn
Hi! I recently made your Spanish style chicken thighs, delicious! I want to make these lemon chicken thighs, however the cook time seems short. Are they boneless? I’m making them tonight (bone-in) regardless, I was just curious because the other recipe called for a longer cook time. Thanks :)
Rasa Malaysia
Yes, sometimes I cook shorter because the chicken thighs I have were probably smaller. Just check the doneness of the chicken thighs or if in doubt, cook longer.
Lyndsay
What about adding capers?
Rasa Malaysia
You can add capers if you like. :)
Cindy Sellers
Great recipe. Since we do not drink there is never wine in the house. I substituted chicken broth for the wine and it is delicious. The wine is probably good but it is great without it.
Rasa Malaysia
Yes.
Ann Pierce
the most easy and delicious cooking I have ever done. I don’t like cooking but this is the best.
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Ann, thanks, yes, this recipe is so easy and good, with so little ingredients. I am so glad you are trying this skillet lemon chicken recipe.