It’s an upgrade to more basic pan seared chicken breast that everyone will love, and just as fast as dishes like lemon chicken piccata. And, just like my garlic butter chicken and chicken florentine, this creamy lemon chicken is cooked all in one pan for easy cleanup!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the ingredients for the best lemon parmesan chicken, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Chicken:
Chicken breasts – Choose cuts similar in size so they cook more evenly, about 8 ounces. You could also make creamy lemon chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins instead, but cook times will be different. Salt & pepper Olive oil
Lemon Parmesan Sauce:
Minced garlic – Mince your own, or get it jarred to save time. Heavy cream – Makes a silky sauce that tastes instantly fancy. Chicken broth – Thins out the sauce to the right consistency, plus it adds flavor. Make your own chicken broth or use store-bought for convenience. Italian seasoning – Make your own homemade Italian seasoning or use pre-made. It’s optional, but adds a boost of flavor! Grated parmesan cheese – Use store-bought grated cheese to save time (the refrigerated ones produce superior results over the shelf stable kind in a plastic can), or grate it yourself. Other hard cheeses, like romano or asiago, would work as well. Lemon juice – Adds bright flavor to the creamy sauce. Juice your own lemons or use a bottled variety.
How To Make Creamy Lemon Chicken
This section shows how to make lemon parmesan chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Saute chicken. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper and sear in a hot cast iron pan on both sides, until browned and nearly done. Remove to a plate and cover with foil.
Make sauce base. Add garlic to the pan and saute until fragrant. Add broth, cream, and Italian seasoning and simmer for 2 minutes.
Thicken. Reduce heat and stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Stir in lemon juice.
Finish. Return the chicken to the pan. Simmer the creamy lemon chicken until completely cooked through. Garnish with parsley and lemon.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep creamy lemon chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Reheat: Heat in a microwave or hot skillet, until warm. Freezing is not recommended. Cream sauces don’t do well in the freezer.
What To Serve With Lemon Parmesan Chicken
The best part about this creamy lemon chicken recipe? It pairs with so many sides!
Roasted veggies – Oven roasted mushrooms, simple roasted cauliflower, summery roasted zucchini, or quick roasted green beans pair very well with this easy chicken. Sauteed Veggies – For everything done on the stove top, I like to sauté asparagus or whip up some sauteed zucchini. Chopped salads – Serve this chicken with Greek salad, antipasto salad, or avocado caprese salad. For a sweeter option, try mandarin orange salad. Crispy veggies – Try bacon wrapped asparagus, parmesan zucchini fries, or crispy fried brussels sprouts next to creamy lemon chicken. Starches – Oven roasted potatoes or pasta make a good pairing. I serve with healthier mashed cauliflower or zucchini noodles.
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