This Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken combines tender, golden-seared chicken breasts with a rich lemon-garlic Parmesan sauce, fresh spinach, and savory herbs. Finished in the oven, this comforting chicken dinner delivers a delicious balance of bright citrus flavor, buttery richness, and creamy texture.
If you’re looking for a flavorful way to prepare boneless, skinless chicken breasts, this lemon butter chicken recipe is a satisfying option. The chicken is first seasoned with smoked paprika, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper, then seared in butter until golden brown. This initial browning develops flavor before the chicken finishes cooking in the oven.
The sauce is what makes this recipe especially appealing. Fresh garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice create a smooth, savory base. A splash of dry white wine adds depth, while thyme or sage provides a subtle herbal note.
Fresh spinach and chopped parsley bring color and freshness to the dish. As the spinach wilts into the sauce, it absorbs the creamy lemon flavor and makes the finished chicken even more satisfying.
For the best results, prepare this recipe in a large oven-safe skillet. Using the same pan for searing, simmering, and baking helps preserve the flavorful browned bits left behind by the chicken.
After searing the chicken, prepare the lemon butter sauce directly in the skillet. Let it simmer until slightly thickened, then return the chicken breasts to the pan.
Transfer the skillet to a 400°F oven and bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
Allow the chicken to rest briefly before serving, then spoon the creamy lemon-Parmesan sauce over each portion.
This dish pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread that can soak up the sauce.
With its tender chicken, fresh lemon flavor, and rich garlic-Parmesan sauce, this creamy lemon butter chicken makes a wonderful family dinner or comforting weekend meal.
Related Recipes:
Print
Lemon Butter Chicken
This savory Lemon Butter Chicken is easy to make and just over the top in taste! Full of flavor, every bite is really unforgettable. The lemon-cream sauce mixed with fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese pairs perfectly with tender and juicy chicken. So savory…this dish will leave you coming back for more! Perfect for any weeknight dinner!
- Total Time: 1:05
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1/2 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 3 Tablespoons Unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Splash of dry white wine
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme or sage
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside.
- Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the chicken and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set chicken aside on separate plate.
- While the chicken is resting, return back to the same skillet and melt remaining tablespoon of butter in the skillet. Add garlic and saute for 2 more minutes.
- Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, splash of wine and thyme.
- Bring sauce to a boil and reduce heat. Add in the spinach and parsley and simmer until the spinach and parsley has wilted and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Continue to cook the sauce about 5-7 minutes so the sauce becomes thicker. You don’t want the sauce to become too runny!
- Once your sauce is to the desired thickness, return the chicken to the oven proof dish.
- Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.
- Remove the dish and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Top with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Tips for the Best Lemon Butter Chicken
Use evenly sized chicken breasts: Choose chicken breasts of similar thickness so they cook at approximately the same rate.
Sear before baking: Browning the chicken in butter develops flavor and creates a golden exterior.
Use freshly grated Parmesan: Freshly grated cheese blends more smoothly into the sauce than pre-shredded varieties.
Simmer the sauce gently: Once the cream and Parmesan are added, avoid prolonged vigorous boiling, which can cause the sauce to separate.
Adjust the lemon flavor: Start with the juice of one lemon as directed, then taste the finished sauce before adding more acidity.
Check the internal temperature: Chicken breasts are fully cooked when the thickest portion reaches 165°F.
Watch the baking time: Thirty minutes at 400°F may be excessive for smaller chicken breasts. Begin checking earlier and remove the chicken when it reaches the correct temperature.
Serve with the sauce: Spoon the lemon-garlic Parmesan sauce and wilted spinach over each chicken breast before serving.
- Prep Time: :10
- Cook Time: :55
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stove Top / Oven