Timeless Lemon Chicken

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 25 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
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Timeless Lemon Chicken is a dish that effortlessly combines the brightness of lemon with the savory depth of chicken. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe brings fresh flavors to your table with minimal effort. Let's dive into the zesty goodness!

Ingredients for Timeless Lemon Chicken

Chicken breasts are the star of the show here, providing a lean protein that cooks quickly. We dredge them in a mix of flour, salt, and black pepper to give them a light crust and flavor. The olive oil and butter create a rich base for cooking the chicken and building the sauce. Chicken broth adds depth to the sauce, while lemon juice and lemon zest bring a fresh, tangy zing. Garlic gives a savory aroma, and capers add a briny touch. Finally, parsley provides a fresh, herby finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice and garlic for an hour before cooking.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe 165°F internally.
  • If the sauce is too tangy, add a small pinch of sugar to balance it out.
  • Preheat your skillet well before adding the chicken to ensure a nice sear.

Serving Suggestions

This lemon chicken pairs wonderfully with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad for a light meal. For a heartier option, serve it over a bed of fluffy couscous or buttery mashed potatoes. A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc complements the dish beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work well and offer a richer flavor. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
What can I use instead of capers?
If you're not a fan of capers, try substituting with chopped olives or omit them entirely.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce in advance and cook the chicken just before serving to keep it juicy.

Timeless Lemon Chicken Recipe Walkthrough

First, grab a shallow dish and mix together your flour, salt, and pepper. Take your chicken breasts and coat them in this mixture, ensuring each piece is well covered. Shake off any excess flour to avoid a gummy texture.

Heat up the olive oil and two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted and starts to bubble, gently lay the chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook them until they’re golden brown and cooked through, roughly six to seven minutes on each side. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and add the lemon zest and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, making sure to scrape up those flavorful brown bits stuck to the bottom — they’re packed with flavor.

Return the chicken to the skillet, snuggling them into the sauce. Let them simmer for about five minutes, allowing all those flavors to meld beautifully together.

Finally, stir in the capers, the remaining tablespoon of butter, and the parsley. Cook for another one to two minutes until the butter has completely melted and the sauce is nicely blended. Serve hot and enjoy the citrusy delight!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • The lemony sauce is both refreshing and comforting.
  • Uses simple, everyday ingredients you likely have on hand.
  • The dish is versatile and pairs well with various sides.
  • Perfect balance of flavors that appeals to all palates.

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge chicken breasts in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
2. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet.
4. Return chicken to the skillet and let it simmer in the sauce for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Stir in capers, remaining butter, and parsley. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until the butter has melted and the sauce is well blended. Serve hot.

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