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Creamy Skillet Lemon Chicken

Creamy Skillet Lemon Chicken

This Creamy Skillet Lemon Chicken is an easy one-pan dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights. Tender, golden chicken is coated in a rich, buttery lemon sauce made extra creamy with cream cheese. The bright citrus flavor paired with the smooth, tangy sauce creates a comforting meal that's simple enough for any night of the week yet delicious enough to serve to guests.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 thin chicken breasts approx. 1 ½ lbs.
  • ½ tsp sea salt pepper and garlic powder, to season chicken, more or less as desired
  • 1 T olive oil
  • ⅔-1 c chicken broth
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 T butter
  • 3 oz. Cream cheese
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ¼ c lemon juice
  • Chopped parsley lemon zest, optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil and let it warm for a few seconds.
  • Place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet and cook without moving it for 4–5 minutes. When the chicken naturally releases from the pan, flip it over and cook for another 4–5 minutes. Continue cooking until the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer the chicken to a plate and loosely cover it with foil to keep it warm.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in 2/3 cup chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen all the flavorful browned bits. Add the butter and let it melt. Once it begins to gently bubble, stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the cream cheese and whisk continuously until it melts into a smooth, creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in a little more chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Return the chicken to the pan, spoon the creamy sauce over the top, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

 
  • Heat the Pan Well: A properly heated skillet is key to achieving a beautiful golden crust on the chicken. Let both the pan and the oil heat fully before adding the meat.
  • Choose Full-Fat Cream Cheese: It melts more smoothly and is less likely to separate during cooking, giving you the creamiest sauce possible.
  • Keep the Chicken Thin: Thin chicken breasts cook evenly and stay juicy. Pieces thicker than ½ inch will require additional cooking time.
  • Storage: Store leftover chicken and sauce in a shallow airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping the chicken nestled in the sauce helps it stay moist. To reheat, warm it gently in the microwave or bake in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.
 

Nutrition Facts: 

 
  • Calories: 429kcal,
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Protein: 51g
  • Fat: 23g
  •  Saturated Fat: 10g
  •  Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
  •  Monounsaturated Fat: 8g
  •  Trans Fat: 0.3g
  •  Cholesterol: 181mg
  •  Sodium: 392mg
  •  Potassium: 942mg
  • Fiber: 0.1g
  •  Sugar: 1g
  •  Vitamin A: 531IU
  •  Vitamin C: 9mg
  • Calcium: 41mg
  • Iron: 1mg