Classic Spring Lemon Chicken Dinner
This classic spring lemon chicken dinner is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish, featuring tender chicken breasts in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce. It's perfect for a weeknight meal but impressive enough for guests.
Equipment
- Paper towels
- Large skillet
- Plate
- Wooden spoon
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley for garnish
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
Cooking
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add remaining olive oil if needed, and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, bring to a simmer, and deglaze the pan by scraping up any browned bits.
- Return chicken to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 8-12 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
Finishing
- Remove from heat and let rest in the skillet for 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices, then spoon the pan sauce over the chicken.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper for 30 minutes before cooking. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your preference for a more or less zesty sauce.