Dinner · American

Lemon Herb Chicken Skillet

Golden chicken, a bright lemon pan sauce, and just one skillet to wash. A splash of cream softens the citrus without making dinner feel heavy.

Recipe image placeholder for Lemon Herb Chicken Skillet

Lemon Herb Chicken Skillet

10 minPrep20 minCook30 minTotal

Amounts scale with servings. Pan size and cooking time may need adjusting for larger batches.

Ingredients

Let’s make it

  1. 1

    Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. 2

    Lay the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 6–7 minutes without moving it, until browned underneath. Turn and cook for another 5–7 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate.

  3. 3

    Lower the heat to medium. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in the broth and scrape the browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes.

  4. 4

    Stir in the cream, lemon juice, and thyme. Simmer gently for 2 minutes, then return the chicken and its juices to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.

A few things that help

Dry chicken browns more readily; blot it before seasoning.

Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer after adding cream. A hard boil can split it.

Use what you have

Use thin chicken breast cutlets instead of thighs; check the temperature early because they cook faster.

No fresh thyme? Use ⅓ teaspoon dried thyme.

Your questions, answered

What goes with lemon chicken?

Rice, couscous, or crusty bread catches the sauce. Add a simple green salad or steamed beans for crunch.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Refrigerate promptly in a shallow, covered container and use within 3–4 days. Reheat gently until the chicken reaches 165°F.

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Cooking mode

Lemon Herb Chicken Skillet