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Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken

Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken
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Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken is a vibrant and comforting dish combining tender chicken breasts or thighs with a luscious sauce made from fresh lemon juice, black pepper, and rich cream. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a simple yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, offering bright citrus notes balanced with silky creaminess and bold pepper flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2–4 Chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 to 2 pounds), boneless and skinless
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 1–2 tablespoons butter or olive oil, for sautéing
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Additional freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Garnish (optional)

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to create a flavorful base.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken and cook until a golden brown crust forms on each side, about 4 to 5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Create the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping the browned bits from the pan bottom to incorporate flavor. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
  4. Finish with Cream and Seasonings: Stir in heavy cream and lemon zest. Season with additional freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Allow sauce to simmer gently until thick and velvety, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Return Chicken and Simmer: Place the seared chicken back into the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece. Cover loosely and cook for an additional 5 minutes to melt the flavors together and ensure chicken is cooked through.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the most vibrant citrus flavor.
  • Do not overcook the chicken; aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for juiciness.
  • Searing the chicken well before making the sauce adds depth through fond (browned bits).
  • Adjust the cream quantity if you prefer a lighter or richer sauce.
  • Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes off the heat to retain its juices.
  • To prevent sauce curdling, simmer cream gently and avoid boiling vigorously.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken, chicken dinner, lemon chicken, creamy chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, gluten free chicken

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/creamy-lemon-pepper-chicken/