Description
This Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts seasoned with zesty lemon pepper and cooked to perfection in a garlic butter sauce. It's a bright, tangy, and quick dish perfect for busy weeknights, delivering a delicious golden crust and a flavorful lemony garlic butter topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds)
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or flour of choice)
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Optional: garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices
Instructions
- Cut the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner pieces that will cook evenly and quickly.
- Mix the seasoning: In a small mixing bowl, stir together the arrowroot powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and kosher salt until well combined.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, pressing it in gently with your hands for better adherence.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear them for 3 to 4 minutes on one side. Flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165°F. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Add the unsalted butter to the same pan and sauté the minced garlic in the melted butter for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and lemon juice, then let the sauce reduce for 1 to 2 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Finish and serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the lemon garlic sauce over them. Garnish with lemon zest and, if desired, freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices for an extra burst of freshness and color.
Notes
- This dish is ideal for busy weeknights due to its quick prep and cook times.
- Arrowroot powder can be substituted with all-purpose flour or cornstarch as needed.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to keep the sodium content moderate; regular broth can be used if preferred.
- For a zestier flavor, add more lemon zest or an extra squeeze of lemon juice according to taste.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 to 165°F for safe consumption while maintaining juiciness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 259 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 428 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg
