Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet – A Quick Weeknight Dinner Favorite

Hi there, food lover! 👋
Ready to bring some cozy, soul-warming comfort to your dinner table tonight? This dish is a true weeknight hero — quick, creamy, citrusy, and infused with that irresistible aroma of garlic sizzling in a warm skillet. 🍋🧄✨

When life gets busy and you crave something satisfying yet simple, this Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet delivers every single time. It has that classic old-world charm — the kind of recipe your grandmother might have made, filled with hearty flavors and a sense of comfort — yet it fits perfectly in today’s fast-paced kitchen. Tender chicken, a velvety lemon-kissed sauce, and everyday ingredients come together in under 30 minutes.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its balance: the brightness of lemon, the depth of garlic, the richness of cream, and the savory sear on each piece of chicken. It’s warming, fragrant, and deliciously familiar. 🍗💛 Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself after a long day, this skillet has that magical “made with love” taste — with none of the fuss.

Let’s get cooking, my friend. Your new favorite weeknight dinner awaits! 👩‍🍳🔥

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish 🌿

Step-by-Step Directions

  1. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Sear to Perfection: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Start the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  4. Deglaze: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up brown bits from the bottom — this is where all the flavor hides!
  5. Make It Creamy: Add heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth.
  6. Add Cheese & Spice: Sprinkle in Parmesan and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the sauce is silky and slightly thickened.
  7. Return the Chicken: Nestle chicken back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for 3–4 minutes so flavors blend beautifully.
  8. Taste & Finish: Adjust seasoning with more lemon, salt, or pepper as needed.
  9. Serve Warm: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed veggies. Enjoy! 😋

Nutritional Information

Prep Time: 10 minutes | 🔥 Cooking Time: 20 minutes | ⏳ Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: ~420 | 🍽️ Servings: 4

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Bon appétit and happy cooking! 👩🍳🍽️

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