Description
Parmesan Lemon Chicken delivers a tangy, creamy dinner that comes together in minutes with simple ingredients from your kitchen. Weeknight cooking gets a delicious upgrade with this zesty chicken that pairs perfectly with pasta or a crisp salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 6 chicken breasts
Primary Seasoning Blend:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley
Instructions
- Season 6 chicken breasts thoroughly with 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper, ensuring even coverage across all surfaces.
- Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F for 2-3 minutes until the oil shimmers and looks slightly wavy.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, cooking for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a clean plate, keeping warm.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and add 4 crushed garlic cloves, sautéing for 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and 2 tsp lemon juice into the skillet, stirring continuously for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese into the cream sauce, whisking until cheese melts completely and sauce thickens slightly.
- Season sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste, adjusting flavors as needed.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling each breast into the creamy sauce and simmering for 2-3 minutes to reheat.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates, spooning extra sauce over the top and garnishing with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts of similar thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help the spices adhere and create a beautiful golden crust.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor in the creamy sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream and reduce the Parmesan slightly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 378 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 452 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg