Description
Savory lemon butter chicken elevates weeknight dinners with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Juicy chicken breasts bathed in zesty lemon sauce promise a quick, elegant meal for home cooks seeking simple yet sophisticated dining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsps (45 g) butter, divided
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken stock
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice, fresh
- 1 tbsp (15 g) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) milk or heavy cream, whole
- flour, for dusting
- garlic powder, to taste
- kosher salt, as needed
- black pepper, freshly ground
- lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning and Preparation: Slice chicken breasts horizontally if thick, then season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor profile.
- Coating Setup: Create two shallow dishes – one with flour for initial coating, another with whisked eggs and milk/cream for final dredging.
- Flour Dredging: Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in flour, ensuring complete and uniform coverage for optimal texture.
- Skillet Preparation: Melt butter in skillet over medium heat, creating a golden, flavorful cooking surface for chicken.
- Egg Coating and Cooking: Dip flour-coated chicken into egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then carefully place in heated skillet. Cook until golden crust forms, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Sauce Creation: Remove chicken from skillet, then deglaze with chicken stock, scraping browned bits. Add lemon juice and remaining butter to develop a rich, tangy sauce base.
- Sauce Development: Simmer sauce for 5 minutes, incorporating cornstarch mixture to achieve smooth, glossy consistency. Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into sauce.
- Final Touches: Arrange fresh lemon slices atop chicken for added brightness. Gently simmer entire dish for 8-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to reheat thoroughly.
Notes
- Slice Chicken Carefully: Cut thick chicken breasts horizontally to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Control Coating Technique: Shake off excess flour and egg mixture to achieve a light, crispy exterior without thick, heavy layers.
- Manage Heat Precisely: Use medium heat to develop golden-brown crust without burning the chicken’s delicate surface.
- Thicken Sauce Strategically: Gradually add cornstarch mixture while stirring constantly to prevent lumps and create smooth, glossy sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg