Nothing beats a skillet of golden, crispy Lemon Chicken with a buttery, citrus-kissed sauce. It’s bright, comforting, and ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend family dinners, this dish combines the rich crunch of Parmesan with the fresh zip of lemon for a balance that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
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Why You’ll Love This Lemon Chicken
This Lemon Chicken is everything you want in a quick meal: juicy, flavorful, and incredibly simple to make. Each bite bursts with fresh lemon flavor that cuts through the buttery richness perfectly. The crispy Parmesan crust locks in moisture, giving you tender chicken every time. Plus, it pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or even a light green salad. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting friends, this recipe feels special without extra effort. You can prep it ahead, keep it in the fridge, and reheat it later without losing that crispy goodness. It’s one of those go-to dinners that never disappoints.
What Makes This Recipe Special
Unlike heavy fried chicken, this version uses a light Parmesan crust that crisps beautifully in olive oil. The lemon butter sauce ties everything together with a bright, savory touch. You’ll love how quickly it comes together while tasting restaurant-quality. The best part? It uses pantry staples and one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Quick Snapshot of Ingredients and Cook Time
You’ll only need chicken breasts, eggs, Parmesan, lemon, butter, garlic, and simple spices. From prep to plate, you’re looking at just about 30 minutes total — 18 minutes prep and 12 minutes cooking. It serves four people, making it ideal for family meals or leftovers the next day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to make this Lemon Chicken. The ingredients are straightforward and likely already in your kitchen. The combination of Parmesan, butter, and lemon creates an unforgettable flavor balance that feels indulgent yet refreshing. Always use fresh lemon juice for the best tang.
Chicken and Coating Ingredients
You’ll need 1½ pounds of chicken breast, two large eggs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and a bit of flour. The eggs and garlic mix together to make a rich coating base, while the Parmesan and flour create the crispy crust that turns golden brown in the pan.
Lemon Butter Sauce Ingredients
The sauce comes together in minutes with butter, garlic, lemon juice, chicken broth, and black pepper. It’s buttery and tangy with a hint of garlic aroma. The sauce coats each piece of chicken beautifully, adding depth and moisture without feeling heavy.
Optional Garnishes and Substitutions
Fresh parsley and lemon slices make lovely garnishes. If you want a lighter version, skip the Parmesan and just use the egg coating. You can also swap in chicken thighs or tenderloins but adjust cooking time to reach 165°F.
How to Make Lemon Chicken Step-by-Step
Making this Lemon Chicken couldn’t be easier. The process moves quickly, so have everything ready before you start. You’ll prep, coat, fry, and make the sauce all within half an hour.
Prep the Chicken for Even Cooking
Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thinner pieces. Gently pound them to even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy. This helps achieve that beautiful golden crust without overcooking the inside.
Make the Egg Mixture and Parmesan Coating
Beat together eggs, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix Parmesan and flour. This combination gives the chicken a crisp, cheesy coating that clings perfectly during frying.
Bread and Pan-Fry Until Crispy Golden
Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then press it into the Parmesan-flour blend. Shake off extra coating. Warm olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crisp. If the crust browns too quickly, reduce the heat slightly so it finishes cooking through.
How to Make the Lemon Butter Sauce
This buttery lemon sauce is the star. It’s silky, tangy, and just garlicky enough to balance the rich chicken coating.
Build the Base with Butter and Garlic
Melt butter in a pan and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Don’t let it brown — you just want that mellow, nutty aroma filling the kitchen.
Add Lemon, Broth, and Seasoning for a Tangy Finish
Pour in fresh lemon juice and chicken broth. Add a pinch of pepper and let it simmer for about two minutes. The sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy as the flavors blend.
Coat the Chicken and Finish the Dish
Pour the hot sauce over the cooked chicken and turn to coat. The Parmesan crust soaks up the buttery lemon mixture perfectly. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley for a fresh finish.
Tips for the Best Lemon Chicken Every Time
Want that restaurant-level result every single time? These little tricks make all the difference.
How to Keep the Parmesan Crust Crispy
Use just enough oil to coat the pan, not too much. After cooking, let the chicken rest on a wire rack briefly instead of stacking it on a plate — this keeps the crust crisp, not soggy.
Adjusting Lemon Flavor to Your Taste
If you love a strong citrus note, add extra lemon juice or zest to the sauce. For a milder taste, reduce the juice slightly or balance it with a bit more butter.
Preventing Over- or Undercooking
Always check for a 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer. If you’re cooking thicker cuts, lower the heat to medium and extend cook time slightly to keep them tender.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
Lemon Chicken stores and reheats beautifully, making it a great meal prep option.
Prepping in Advance
You can marinate the chicken in the egg mixture for a few hours or overnight. It not only saves time later but also helps tenderize the meat.
Proper Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently in a skillet to crisp it back up. Avoid microwaving, as it softens the coating.
Variations and Ingredient Swaps
This dish adapts easily to your preferences or dietary needs.
Lighter, No-Parmesan Version
For a lighter meal, skip the Parmesan and coat the chicken only with the egg mixture and a dusting of flour. It’s still golden and flavorful but less rich.
Using Chicken Thighs or Tenderloins
Both options work great. Thighs offer extra juiciness, while tenderloins cook super fast. Just adjust cooking time to ensure safe doneness.
Adding Vegetables to the Skillet
Try adding asparagus, spinach, or zucchini in the same pan after removing the chicken. The veggies soak up the lemon butter sauce beautifully.
What to Serve with Lemon Chicken
Lemon Chicken pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or even rice. The sauce doubles as an instant dressing for vegetables or grains. You can also serve it with a crisp salad to keep it light. For more inspiration, try pairing it with the Creamy Cajun Chicken — Easy One-Pan Dinner or the Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken Dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the secret to a flavorful chicken limone?
Use fresh lemon juice and real butter for a bright, natural flavor. Also, seasoning the chicken well before cooking makes a big difference.
How long is lemon chicken good for in the fridge?
It stays fresh for about three days when stored properly in an airtight container.
How long do I let my chicken sit in lemon juice?
Marinate for up to four hours. Longer may start breaking down the meat’s texture.
What do you need for lemon chicken?
Chicken breasts, eggs, Parmesan, flour, butter, garlic, chicken broth, and lemon juice — that’s all you need for this simple, delicious meal.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe
- Healthy Greek Chicken Bowls with Lemon Zest and Tzatziki
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla — High-Protein Comfort Meal
- Crispy Sweet Chilli Chicken Quick Recipe
Conclusion
This Lemon Chicken recipe proves that simple ingredients can make something extraordinary. It’s light yet comforting, quick yet impressive, and ideal for both family dinners and casual entertaining. Whether you enjoy it fresh off the skillet or reheated the next day, it always brings a burst of flavor and warmth to the table. You can find even more delicious chicken inspiration on Pinterest.
Lemon Chicken
Equipment
- Skillet For frying the chicken
- Mixing bowls For egg mixture and coating
- Tongs To handle chicken easily
- Meat thermometer Check 165°F doneness
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breast, patted dry
- 1 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
- 2 large eggs
- 1 clove garlic, minced (for egg mixture)
- 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
- 0.25 tsp black pepper (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp parsley for garnish (optional)
- 0.5 lemon sliced for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast horizontally and gently pound to a uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Beat eggs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in one bowl. In another bowl, mix Parmesan and flour for coating.
- Dip chicken in the egg mixture, then press into the Parmesan-flour mix. Let the excess fall off.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
- In another pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add broth, lemon juice, and pepper; simmer for 2 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over cooked chicken and turn to coat. Garnish with lemon slices and parsley before serving.
