Creamy Lemon Chicken

Description:

Creamy Lemon Chicken is a rich, zesty, and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked in a silky lemon-infused cream sauce. It’s a perfect balance of citrus brightness and creamy indulgence, ideal for a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat. Serve it with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables for a satisfying meal.

📝 Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• ¾ cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional for depth)

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

• Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Prep the chicken:
   Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.

2. Sear:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.

3. Make the sauce:
   In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).

4. Deglaze:
   Pour in chicken broth, scraping any brown bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes.

5. Cream it up:
   Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard (if using). Simmer until slightly thickened, about 3–5 minutes.

6. Return chicken:
   Add chicken back to the pan and simmer another 3 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken.

7. Garnish & serve:
   Sprinkle with fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve hot.

🍽️ Servings:

Serves 4

💡 Notes:

• You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless thighs for juicier meat.

• Add spinach or mushrooms for a veggie boost.

• Use light cream or half-and-half for a lighter version (but sauce will be thinner).

• Grate Parmesan fresh for best texture and flavor.

🔪 Tips:

• Don’t boil the cream sauce—gentle simmering keeps it smooth.

• Adjust lemon juice to taste; add more for extra tang.

• To make it low-carb/keto, serve with steamed veggies or cauliflower mash.

🥗 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, estimated):

• Calories: ~400 kcal

• Protein: ~30g

• Fat: ~28g

• Carbohydrates: ~5g

• Fiber: ~0.5g

• Sugar: ~1g

✅ Health Benefits:

• High-protein meal helps support muscle and satiety.

• Lemon juice adds vitamin C and aids digestion.

• Lower in carbs, especially when served with vegetables.

• Can be made gluten-free and keto-friendly.

❓ Q&A:

Q: Can I use bottled lemon juice?
A: Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled works in a pinch—use 2 tbsp.

Q: How do I thicken the sauce more?
A: Simmer longer, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).

Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: Not recommended—cream sauces may separate when reheated. Best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for 2–3 days.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Use full-fat coconut milk and skip the Parmesan, or use a dairy-free alternative.