Easy Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken Breasts Recipe

This Easy Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is simple to prepare and moist with a lovely flavor–your whole family will enjoy this recipe!

This is a recipe that nails the ultimate dinner time trifecta: easy (so simple–minimal ingredients!), it’s healthy, and it’s beyond delicious–everyone in the family loves it. Really, guys, what more could you ask for? It’s Easy Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken Breasts.

Ready to fall in love with a recipe that will quickly become your go-to for busy weeknights? My Lemon Garlic Chicken is a taste burst in the kitchen.

Packed with bold flavors of fresh garlic and zesty lemon, all cooked perfectly in just one pan or skillet. This dish is simple but so satisfying that you’ll wonder why you ever made chicken any other way.

What I love most about this recipe is that it cuts down on stress without sacrificing taste. It’s easy, and you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Having this recipe card handy will lighten your load and keep your taste buds happy. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze. You’ll love how effortless yet delicious this easy Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is.

Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love this Garlic Lemon Chicken Recipe

A chicken dinner cooked in lemon juice, enriched with garlic, and sprinkled with fresh herbs can never go wrong – if it’s made well, that is.

Here’s why this buttery lemon garlic sauce hits the spot every time you make it:

• Bold Flavor Combination: The Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe is about bold, simple flavors. The fresh lemon juice brings a zesty brightness, while the garlic adds depth and richness.
• Quick Preparation: The lemon garlic chicken recipe is a time-saver. Minimal prep and one-pan cooking make it great for busy days. You get a delicious meal on the table fast, with minimal cleanup.
• Perfect Texture: The secret to this dish is the texture. With a good sear, the chicken turns golden and crisp on the outside while staying juicy inside.
• Versatile: It doesn’t matter if you prefer chicken breasts or thighs; this recipe adapts easily. You can even toss in some veggies to soak up the lemon-garlic goodness. It’s flexible enough to suit whatever you have on hand.
• Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: You don’t need fancy ingredients to make this dish shine. Lemon, garlic, and chicken are all you need to create something truly delicious. 

What You’ll Need to Make this Recipe

Ready to dig into a buttery chicken dinner that’s also light? Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Tender chicken breasts that cook evenly and soak up all the lemon garlic goodness.

• Ghee or avocado oil: These oils add richness and help achieve that perfect golden brown sear.

• Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors in the chicken.

• Chicken stock: Adds moisture and enhances the savory depth of the dish.

• Dijon mustard: A tangy kick that balances the lemon and garlic flavors.

• Balsamic vinegar: Brings a slight sweetness and acidity to the lemon garlic marinade.

• Avocado oil: Helps in cooking time, giving the chicken that perfect texture.

• Minced garlic: The star ingredient, delivering much flavor to the buttery lemon garlic sauce.

• Lemons: Fresh lemon slices add brightness and enhance the lemon flavor.

• Arrowroot powder: Thicken the sauce without making it heavy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start by browning your chicken breasts on the stove top. I typically use ghee for this, but you can also use avocado oil or another oil that can withstand higher heat.
2. Once the chicken breasts are browned, I like to add some flavorful liquid to cook with them in the oven. For this recipe I included chicken stock, mustard, balsamic vinegar, avocado oil, and garlic. This will become our sauce. You can remove the chicken breasts to make sure you can deglaze the pan well, or leave them in there and work around them.
3. For this recipe, I add lemon slices to cook right on the chicken breasts and in the sauce to add some extra tangy flavor. I adore lemon flavor so much and it really brightens this dish.
4. Now you finish cooking the chicken in the oven. Once the chicken breasts are cooked, I add some arrowroot powder to thicken the sauce on the stove and dinner is ready! It’s super simple.

Tips & Tricks

When making Lemon Garlic Chicken, getting that perfect sear and avoiding overcooked, dry chicken should be your goal. Let me break down some tips that guarantee you a beautifully golden brown crust and juicy chicken every time.

The Perfect Sear

Starting with a hot skillet is crucial for getting that golden brown crust on your chicken. I like to use a large skillet with enough room to place chicken in a single layer. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and you’ll miss out on that crisp texture. Make sure the chicken is dry before placing it in the pan.

Avoid Overcooking While Getting a Nice Crust

Overcooked chicken is a no-go, especially when you want tender, juicy meat. To avoid this, make sure your chicken pieces are of even thickness. You can pound the chicken slightly if needed to cook it well.

Deglazing the Pan

You must deglaze the pan once the chicken is seared and cooked to perfection, as this is where the magic happens. Adding a liquid, like chicken broth, lemon zest, or white wine, lifts all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits, called fond, are packed with flavor and make the base for a rich, buttery lemon garlic sauce.

Use a Cast Iron Skillet

Using my cast iron skillet has become my favorite way to cook chicken breasts. You can use any oven-proof skillet for this, but I highly recommend a cast iron skillet.

Variations You Can Try

Let’s make this Lemon Garlic Chicken even more versatile.

• Have boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts? Those will work here, too. Usually thighs are smaller than breasts, so they will cook a little more quickly.

• Reduce the olive oil or ghee to cut back on the fat content without sacrificing too much flavor. Just keep a watchful eye on the chicken to avoid it sticking to the pan.

• Serve this dish with steamed green beans or fresh parsley for a lighter and low carb option. The lemon flavor pairs beautifully with green veggies, making this a well-rounded, healthy meal. Sprinkle a bit of red pepper flakes for extra heat. See below the recipe card for more ideas on what to serve with this chicken dish.

• For those who love one-skillet meals (I know I do!), adding veggies directly to the pan is a smart move. Toss in some cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or broccoli after searing the chicken. The veggies will soak up all the delicious lemon garlic marinade and pan juices to make the whole dish even more flavorful.

If you try this Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe or any of my other healthy recipes, please let me know! Leave a star rating and comment below so other recipes can see which recipes are tried and true. I appreciate you! If you make a Happy Healthy Mama recipe and share your picture on Instagram, I’ll feature you. Make sure to tag me!

Easy Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken Breasts

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 3 reviews

• Author: Happy Healthy Mama
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This recipe is for a lovely weeknight dinner that is fast and simple. Easy Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken is a family-favorite recipe!

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 breast halves)
• 1 tablespoon ghee or avocado oil
• salt and pepper
• 1/4–1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder+1 teaspoon water

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pat your chicken breasts dry and season them with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Heat the ghee in a large cast iron skillet (or other oven-proof skillet) over medium heat until it melts.
4. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side.
5. Meanwhile, whisk together the chicken stock, mustard, vinegar, oil, and garlic.
6. Pour the mixture into the skillet. Use a spoon or spatula to deglaze the pan. (I don’t always remove the chicken first because I’m kind of a lazy cook. I just work around it. You can totally remove the chicken to do this and then add it back to the skillet if you want.)
7. Add 1-2 lemon slices to the top of each chicken breast and the remaining slices around them in the pan.
8. Finish cooking the chicken in the preheated oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, about 12-15 minutes more.
9. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet to a plate and keep it covered to stay warm.
10. Make a slurry with the arrowroot powder and water in a small bowl.
11. Bring the sauce to a simmer on the stove top and add the arrowroot slurry. (Note: if the sauce has evaporated too much in the cooking time, add another 1/4 cup chicken stock here) Whisk for one minute and then remove from the heat.
12. Top each chicken breast with sauce and serve. Enjoy!

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: dinner recipes
• Method: stovetop and oven
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
• Calories: 353
• Sugar: 1.6 grams
• Fat: 13 grams
• Carbohydrates: 4.6
• Protein: 52 grams

Side Dishes to Serve with Chicken Breasts

How about some side dish ideas? I think this would be lovely served with any of the following vegetables side dishes/salads.

Honey Mustard Roasted Carrots

Mushroom Sauté with Rosemary, Garlic, and Red Wine

Luke’s Favorite Broccoli

Instant Pot Green Beans

Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Healthy Air Fryer Apples

Air Fryer Asparagus