Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce is a quick and elegant weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken breasts with a crispy, nutty Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust, topped with a bright and luscious lemon butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish combines familiar comforting flavors with a refreshing citrus twist, perfect for a family-friendly meal or an impressive dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and stovetop cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be adapted Gluten-Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Crust
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt, a pinch
Garnish (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor and help the crust adhere.
- Create the Parmesan Crust: In a shallow dish, mix freshly grated Parmesan cheese with panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each chicken breast into the mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crust sticks uniformly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the crusted chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the crust is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Let the sauce simmer gently for about a minute to combine the flavors.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the lemon butter sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Dry the chicken thoroughly to ensure the crust adheres properly and crisps well.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese from a block for better melting and crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan to allow proper searing and a perfect crust.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.
- Adjust the lemon butter sauce thickness by simmering longer to thicken or adding chicken broth to thin it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Parmesan crusted chicken, lemon butter sauce, quick chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, crispy chicken breast, easy chicken dinner
