Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken is my go-to recipe when I need something quick, delicious and filling! Everything cooks easily in one skillet which makes cleanup a breeze.

The chicken was so tender, juicy and covered in this lemon garlic cream sauce which gave it so much flavor. My kids went crazy for this Chicken Recipe. Everyone wanted seconds and asked me to make it again! You may even like this Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe or Marry Me Chicken for those busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

This easy skillet chicken dinner delivers restaurant style flavor without the fuss. Golden chicken breasts bathe in a garlicky cream sauce and with the added fresh lemon juice and zest it adds the perfect perfect pop of brightness!

We love that this creamy lemon chicken cooks in one pan on the stovetop in under half an hour, making it a weeknight win that still feels company-worthy!

Ingredients

• Skinless Chicken Breast – You can also use chicken tenders or boneless chicken thighs
• Olive Oil – You can also use vegetable oil or avocado oil
• Salt and Black Pepper – Simple Seasoning
• Lemons – For the best flavor use fresh lemon
• Minced Garlic – You can use 3 cloves of garlic minced instead of the pre-minced garlic if you prefer or garlic powder.
• Butter – We used unsalted butter
• Chicken Broth – See Chicken broth substitutes or substitute with white wine
• Heavy Cream – I find that heavy cream gives the best flavor but milk can be used instead if needed.  
• Cornstarch – Helps to thicken the sauce. Feel free to substitute with flour
• Fresh Chopped Parsley – You can also use 1 tsp dried parsley and capers if you prefer

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken

Step 1 – Pound out each chicken breast to ¼ inch thick. You can also filet the chicken if you would like. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and add the chicken breast.

Step 2 – Season with salt and pepper. Allow it to cook for 5 minutes until the chicken is brown. Flip and let it cook for another 5 minutes until both sides are brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a separate plate.

Step 3 – Add butter and garlic to the pan and saute until the butter is melted.

Step 4 – Add 1 ½ cups of chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape the brown pieces from the pan. (This gives the sauce great flavor.)

Step 5 – Place the chicken back into the pan.

Step 6 – Squeeze the juice from one lemon over the chicken in the pan.

Step 7 – Cover and cook over medium heat until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is golden brown.

Step 8 – In a separate bowl combine 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with the ½ cup heavy cream.

Step 9 – Stir the mixture into the pan.

Step 10 – Stir in fresh parsley in the creamy sauce. Allow this chicken dish to cook for 2 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Slice the remaining lemon and serve with the chicken topped with shredded parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Cooking – Cook on low heat to prevent the sauce from cuddling. This allows it to simmer for the best consistency.
• Chicken – Cut the chicken in about the same size pieces so the chicken cooks evenly and about the same time. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken cooks with an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Flavor Variations

• Add Spinach – Stir 2 cups baby spinach into sauce for the last minute of cooking time with lemon zest for amazing taste. Kale is another great option.
• Tomatoes – Add ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes with garlic for a delicious variations. We even like to add in ½ tbsp of Italian Seasoning or Fresh herbs such as fresh basil.
• Spicy and Smoky – Add in ½ tsp of cajun seasoning for amazing flavor. We even added red pepper flakes for a kick of spicy flavor.
• Mushrooms – If you love mushrooms add in slice mushrooms for a great addition.

Serving Suggestions

This 30-minute creamy chicken is delicious served over Instant pot White Rice Recipe, Best Mashed Potatoes, or your favorite pasta such as egg noodles.

Add a side of Parmesan Roasted Broccoli, Air Fryer Asparagus, Easy Caesar Salad Recipe, Sautéed Green Beans or Homemade Garlic Bread to make sure we get every last drop of the sauce.