Description
Creamy Lemon Chicken with Parmesan Sauce is a vibrant and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a luscious sauce made from fresh lemon juice and zest, heavy cream, and sharp Parmesan cheese. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe balances bright citrus flavors with rich, creamy, cheesy goodness, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1 fresh lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside, keeping the juices in the pan.
- Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Add fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and the cheese melts smoothly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan, spoon the sauce over each piece generously. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and allow the chicken to absorb the sauce for extra tenderness and juiciness.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the chicken for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while the sauce is creamy and warm.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
- Do not overcook chicken for tender and juicy results.
- Freshly grate Parmesan cheese to ensure smooth melting in the sauce.
- Let the sauce thicken gently over medium heat to avoid separation or graininess.
- Serve over pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables to soak up the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg