This parmesan-crusted Lemon Chicken Recipe is so EASY to make and completely ready in 30 minutes! The quick garlic and lemon butter sauce enhances the flavor of the chicken and adds so much flavor to the dish!

Homemade lemon chicken recipe in a skillet topped with a lemon butter sauce and fresh lemon slices then garnished with herbs.

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I’m convinced you’ll love my Lemon Chicken with the best Lemon Butter Sauce.

Lemon Chicken Recipe:

This dish is going to become a favorite chicken dinner recipe for BUSY evenings. The chicken breast is generously coated in parmesan and pan-fried to give it a crispy crust. The chicken is then smothered in a lemon butter sauce with garlic that adds so much flavor to the chicken.

We love easy 30-minute chicken recipes for busy weeknights and some of our go-to’s include Chicken Marsala, classic Chicken Parmesan and of course this easy lemon garlic chicken. With these recipes in your arsenal, you can make restaurant-quality meals for a fraction of the price of eating out.

Parmesan crusted chicken breast on a bed of mashed potatoes and zucchini in a lemon butter sauce topped with greens.

How to Make Lemon Chicken:

With just a few simple ingredients a few minutes of prep time, you can have yourself the most DELICIOUS crispy chicken breast in a buttery garlic lemon sauce!

  1. Cut chicken in half lengthwise and beat with a meat mallet to an even thickness.
  2. Prepare Egg Mixture – whisk together eggs, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Prepare Parmesan Mixture – in a separate bowl, mix together the parmesan cheese and flour.
  4. Dredge the Chicken – coat in the egg mixture, then generously coat in parmesan mixture, shaking off excess.
  5. Cook Chicken. Add oil to a hot skillet then add breaded chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reads 165˚F with an Instant Read Thermometer.

Cook’s Tip If the chicken crust begins to brown too quickly, reduce heat allowing the chicken to fully cook through.

Step-by-step collage instructions how to make lemon chicken with lemon butter sauce.

How to Make Lemon Butter Sauce:

This 5-minute EASY lemon butter sauce will become a staple in your home. The sauce is tangy from the fresh lemon and butter and the garlic just brings all the flavors together – SO GOOD!

For a quicker dinner, prepare the lemon sauce in a separate saucepan or skillet while the chicken is cooking. Then just pour the sauce over the chicken once it is cooked. Or, you can just cook the chicken, remove it from the skillet (cover to keep warm) and prepare the sauce in the same skillet, then add the chicken back.

  1. Saute the garlic and butter until fragrant.
  2. Whisk in the lemon juice, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Allow the sauce to cook over med heat for about 2 minutes.

NOTE: We love the fresh and tangy lemon flavor in this recipe. If you prefer a less lemony flavor, reduce the lemon juice.

Parmesan crusted chicken with a lemon butter sauce in a skillet topped lemon slices.

Can I make this Ahead?

If you like to prep dinner in advance, slice the chicken and add it to the egg mixture, cover and refrigerate until you are ready for dinner. Allowing the chicken to marinate will result in a juicier and more tender chicken breast. Then, just continue with the remaining recipe instructions.

Can I make the Lemon Chicken without Parmesan Crust?

Yes! For a healthier option, completely omit the egg mixture and parmesan mixture. Slice the chicken breast and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then, continue with the preparation of the sauce.

Substituting for Chicken Thighs?

This lemon chicken will work with chicken breast, chicken thighs, and even chicken tenderloins. You will want to prepare the recipe according to the instructions, the only difference will be in the cooking time. The cook time will depend on the size of the thighs, you want the internal temperature to reach 165F on an instant-read thermometer.

Adding Vegetables to the Chicken in Skillet:

Yes, you may definitely add vegetables to complete the dish. Asparagus, green beans, and zucchini will all go great with the lemon sauce and compliment the chicken

Easy 30-minute Chicken Lemon on a plate with mashed potatoes and zucchini topped with lemon butter.

I can’t wait for you to give this simple chicken dinner recipe a try!

What to Serve with Lemon Chicken?

The EASY chicken dish is completely ready in just 30 minutes and can be served with our Mashed Potatoes or your favorite pasta and it pairs well with Caesar Salad.

More Chicken Recipes to Try:

Lemon Chicken with BEST Lemon Butter Sauce

4.98 from 1453 votes
Lemon chicken in lemon butter sauce in skillet garnished with lemon slices
This parmesan-crusted Lemon Chicken Recipe is easy and done in 30 minutes! The quick lemon butter sauce pairs so well with the chicken.
Prep Time: 18 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients for Parmesan Crusted Chicken:

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breast, (2 large), patted dry with paper towels
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil , to sautee
  • 1 Tbsp parsley, to garnish (optional)
  • 1/2 lemon, sliced for garnish (optional)

For the Egg Mixture:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

For the Parmesan Breading Mixture:

Ingredients for Lemon Butter Sauce:

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Lightly beat with a meat mallet until even in thickness.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the egg mixture. In another bowl, combine the ingredients for the parmesan mixture. Dip chicken into the egg mixture, then dredge chicken in the parmesan mixture. Allow any excess ingredients to fall off from each bowl.
  • In a large skillet, heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a skillet. Once hot, add the chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side, or until crispy, golden and cooked through to 165˚F on an Instant Read Thermometer. Reduce the heat if chicken browns too quickly.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, melt butter and garlic, cook until fragrant. Add the chicken broth, lemon juice and pepper. Allow the sauce to cook for about 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken, turning to coat. Garnish with lemon slices and finely chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition Per Serving

560kcal Calories9g Carbs46g Protein38g Fat20g Saturated Fat273mg Cholesterol1109mg Sodium738mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar1105IU Vitamin A17mg Vitamin C322mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Chicken with BEST Lemon Butter Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
560
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
38
g
58
%
Saturated Fat
 
20
g
125
%
Cholesterol
 
273
mg
91
%
Sodium
 
1109
mg
48
%
Potassium
 
738
mg
21
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
46
g
92
%
Vitamin A
 
1105
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
 
17
mg
21
%
Calcium
 
322
mg
32
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemon chicken
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 560
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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4.98 from 1453 votes (1,067 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Ernie
    October 6, 2024

    I have made this recipe for my wife and I. We loved it so much had a dinner party and what raves we had received. Excellent easy recipe that makes you look like a Michelin Chef. Hope I spelt that correctly. Fantastic recipe

    Reply

  • ChiChris
    October 2, 2024

    This recipe is so delicious! The whole family loves it and i even make it when clients come to town. We use chicken thighs pounded flat and then follow the recipe. It’s always a big hit!

    Reply

  • ChiChris
    October 2, 2024

    This recipe is so delicious! One of our go to staples – i even make it when clients are in town because it’s so good! Wouldn’t change a thing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 2, 2024

      So glad you’re enjoying it! Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Jennifer Watkins
    September 26, 2024

    This was really delicious. I made a few pieces without the breading because I have a cheese allergy and it still wonderful.

    Reply

  • Cathy Adamski
    September 26, 2024

    Wow! I made this last night with chicken thighs. Fantastic! But because it was whole thighs I had to take after searing in the frying pan for 4 mins per side and place in a casserole dish in a 400 oven for 20-25mins. The crusted lemon garlic chicken was delicious. Im adding this dish to the rotation. I served it with jasmine rice and yellow and green beans.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 26, 2024

      I’m so glad you loved it! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Alisha
    September 25, 2024

    Family loved it. Husband had seconds. Said he would eat 2 more pieces of chicken if he could. Adding it to the rotation.

    Reply

  • Matt
    September 20, 2024

    I made this and the whole family loved it. As many have stated, I served it over angel hair pasta. My tweak was that I added capers and artichoke hearts and tossed it all together. Delicious!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 20, 2024

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Matt! I’m so happy it was a hit with your family.

      Reply

  • Janet
    September 19, 2024

    This recipe is amazing! I fixed it for one of our nurses going through cancer treatments served it with roasted carrots! I this will definitely be my go to chicken dish. 💕

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 19, 2024

      That sounds delicious, Janet! I’m so glad it was enjoyed.

      Reply

  • Sharon Somers
    September 17, 2024

    This is one my favorite recipes. I have made it several times and it always comes out great. Thank you for sharing. I have made many of your recipes and have never been disappointed.

    Reply

  • Mary Gray
    August 25, 2024

    Thank you! This turned out so delicious. I doubled the sauce and served pasta on the side. This is going into the favorites!

    Reply

  • Judith Carrillo
    August 22, 2024

    Love this recipe. Easy and delicious. Comes out great every time.

    Reply

  • Tom O
    August 21, 2024

    Easy to put to together. Delicious tangy garlicky goodness. My wife and son loved it so it will definitely be in a regular rotation.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 21, 2024

      That’s wonderful, Tom!

      Reply

  • Matthew Mason
    August 21, 2024

    Super Simple!
    Super Easy!
    Super Delicious!
    Perfect for Weeknight Dinners!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 21, 2024

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Matthew!

      Reply

  • Beverly Greenberg
    August 14, 2024

    I just made it and there wasn’t a morsel left! Easy and delicious. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Tracey
    August 14, 2024

    Super delicious. My little taste tester liked it with and without the lemon butter. It was a huge hit even with my super picky eater. Thank you!!

    Reply

  • Carlos L
    August 13, 2024

    Delicious, simple and nice crunchy parmesan taste.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 13, 2024

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

      • Bob Searing
        August 15, 2024

        My wife loved it. Thankyou Natasha’s kitchen! Happy wife,happy life.!!!
        Was simple and easy as well. Lemon and butter sauce went very well. I served it over angel hair pasta and coated it with the sauce! FANTASTIC!

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          August 15, 2024

          That’s wonderful to hear, Bob!

          Reply

        • Linda Liechty
          August 17, 2024

          I just made this tonight and served it over angel hair pasta as well! It was a huge hit with the family, and I’ll definitely be making it again and again . . .

          Reply

          • NatashasKitchen.com
            August 17, 2024

            I’m so happy to hear it was a hit!

  • Susan Regenstein
    August 9, 2024

    So sad….i wasn’t allowed to print to use at my dinner party😔w

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 9, 2024

      Hi Susan, The print friendly recipe is at the bottom of each post. Once you scroll there, click on the print icon in that recipe card which will open a print screen, then you would need to click file & print. I hope that helps! If not, please let me know exactly what steps you are taking and where you are navigating to print our recipes.

      Reply

      • cindy
        August 22, 2024

        I can’t find the print icon either. I guess it doesn’t look like other print icons I’ve used. I would love to print this recipe though.

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          August 22, 2024

          Hi Cindy! Did you scroll all the way down to the recipe card at the bottom of the blog post? You can also click on the “jump to recipe” shortcut button at the top of this page. In the recipe card, I am able to view an option that says “print.” if you are not seeing this, please let me know what device you are using to view this recipe!

          Reply

  • Danielle
    July 31, 2024

    Delicious!! I served it with rice and broccolini, Hubby loved it!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 31, 2024

      So glad to hear that!

      Reply

  • Karen Fuller
    July 24, 2024

    I made it and my mom said it was “good enough for company” and “like a restaurant would serve”.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 24, 2024

      That’s great, Karen!

      Reply

  • Erika Brandy Stacy
    July 24, 2024

    Came out excellent! Thank you for an easy and delicious recipe!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 24, 2024

      You’re very welcome!

      Reply

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