Description
This Creamy Lemon Herb Parmesan Chicken is a luscious and comforting main course featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich parmesan and lemon-infused cream sauce with fragrant Italian herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of thyme, oregano, and basil)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the natural flavor of the meat.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken breasts carefully in the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to add depth of flavor. Then, add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dried Italian herbs. Stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy sauce over them, and let everything simmer together for another 3 to 4 minutes until the chicken is heated through and well coated in the luscious sauce.
- Garnish and serve: If desired, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the chicken immediately alongside your favorite sides such as pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
- This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- You can also add spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
