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1 photo There’s something deeply comforting about the smell of garlic sizzling in butter. It’s the kind of aroma that quietly pulls everyone toward the kitchen, even on the longest days. This lemon garlic chicken skillet was born out of those evenings when you want real food, warmth, and familiarity without turning dinner into a complicated project. I remember making this on a rainy night, windows fogged, music low, and the simple act of stirring a creamy lemon sauce felt grounding in the best way.
What makes this dish special isn’t just the flavor, though the balance of bright lemon and rich cream is undeniably satisfying. It’s the simplicity. One pan. Honest ingredients. No pressure to be perfect. The chicken doesn’t need to be fancy, the skillet doesn’t need to be new, and the meal doesn’t need to impress anyone but the people you’re feeding. This is the kind of recipe that quietly becomes part of your routine, the one you come back to when you want dinner to feel like a small act of care.
Recipe Steps for lemon garlic chicken skillet :
Step 1 :
Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. I placed mine in the OXO Good Grips 3 Quart Mixing Bowl, but any bowl or plate you already have works just fine.
Step 2 :
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. I’m using the Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, but your everyday nonstick pan will work perfectly.
Step 3 :
Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside on a plate.
Step 4 :
In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. I stirred everything with a Cuisinart Silicone Spatula, but a wooden spoon works just as well.
Step 5 :
Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up the browned bits. Add the cream and Italian seasoning, then simmer until the sauce thickens.
Step 6 :
Stir in the Parmesan cheese until smooth, return the chicken to the skillet, coat with sauce, and serve immediately.
Benefits of Eating This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet :
This lemon garlic chicken skillet offers more than just great flavor. It’s a practical, satisfying meal that fits well into everyday eating without pretending to be something it’s not.
One of the biggest benefits of this recipe is its high protein content. Chicken breasts provide complete protein that helps keep you full, supports muscle maintenance, and prevents frequent snacking between meals. This makes it especially useful for busy days when you need lasting energy.
The recipe also contains satisfying fats that promote fullness. Olive oil, butter, cream, and Parmesan slow digestion and improve satiety. While not low-fat, these ingredients help you feel genuinely satisfied with a reasonable portion, which can reduce overeating later in the day.
Another benefit is steady energy support. Ingredients like chicken, garlic, and Parmesan supply B vitamins, zinc, and selenium that play a role in energy metabolism and immune function. This supports normal daily activity rather than quick energy spikes and crashes.
Garlic and lemon add real functional value, not just flavor. Garlic contains natural compounds linked to heart and immune health, while lemon juice provides vitamin C and acidity that can aid digestion and improve mineral absorption.
This dish is naturally gluten-free and low in added sugars, making it suitable for people looking to manage blood sugar levels or reduce highly refined ingredients in their diet.
Cooking this meal at home also helps reduce reliance on ultra-processed foods. Compared to takeout or packaged meals, this recipe gives you control over ingredients, sodium levels, and cooking fats, which is a meaningful everyday health advantage.
Finally, this recipe is easy to pair with vegetables or whole-food sides, such as steamed greens, salads, or roasted vegetables. That makes it simple to turn into a balanced, complete meal without extra cooking stress.
In short: this recipe isn’t a diet food or health trend. It’s a realistic, nourishing, home-cooked meal that supports fullness, steady energy, and better overall food choices when eaten in moderation.
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Easy Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet in Just One Pan
This lemon garlic chicken skillet is a comforting one-pan meal with juicy chicken breasts simmered in a creamy, tangy lemon-garlic sauce.
Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet Ingredients
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken until golden and cooked through, then remove.
- Add butter and garlic to the skillet and sauté briefly.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice.
- Add cream and Italian seasoning and simmer until thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Return chicken to the skillet, coat with sauce, and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 520kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 34g53%
- Saturated Fat 15g75%
- Trans Fat 0.5g
- Cholesterol 165mg56%
- Sodium 680mg29%
- Potassium 780mg23%
- Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 45g90%
- Vitamin A 620 IU
- Vitamin C 12 mg
- Calcium 220 mg
- Iron 2.1 mg
- Vitamin D 2.4 mcg
- Vitamin E 3.1 mg
- Vitamin K 18 mcg
- Thiamin 0.12 mg
- Riboflavin 0.28 mg
- Niacin 14 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.9 mg
- Folate 38 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1.4 mcg
- Biotin 6 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 1.6 mg
- Phosphorus 410 mg
- Iodine 28 mcg
- Magnesium 62 mg
- Zinc 3.4 mg
- Selenium 42 mcg
- Copper 0.14 mg
- Manganese 0.2 mg
- Chromium 6 mcg
- Molybdenum 18 mcg
- Chloride 720 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Substitutions
Half and half can replace heavy cream for a lighter sauce. Chicken thighs work well instead of breasts.
Serving ideas
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or with crusty bread.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not overcrowd the skillet or the chicken will steam instead of sear.
Chef tips
Let the sauce simmer gently to thicken naturally without curdling.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I make this ahead of time?
This dish is best fresh but can be reheated gently on the stove.
Q. Is this recipe gluten free?
Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten free.
Q. Can I freeze lemon garlic chicken?
Freezing is not recommended due to the cream-based sauce.
