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 1489 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:

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 non-stick 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 1489 votes (1,067 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Kate
    October 14, 2021

    Whenever I’ve done this recipe I use Parmesan and breadcrumbs I also lay the chicken in a baking dish and that way you can just sprinkle any left over Parmesan mix over the top of the chicken I also use thighs btw..

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 14, 2021

      That sounds good, Kate. Thank you for sharing that with us!

      Reply

  • Kimberly
    October 10, 2021

    This is an amazingly delicious dish! I made it exactly per instructions. My sides were mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. Five stars!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 11, 2021

      Sounds perfect! So happy to know that you loved this recipe, Kimberly. Thank you for your review.

      Reply

  • Shelley Aldrich
    September 29, 2021

    This is the first time I’ve reviewed a recipe. Had to because I LOVED it. Easy and tasty 😋

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 30, 2021

      And I’m happy you did! Thanks a lot for sharing that with us.

      Reply

  • RLS
    September 29, 2021

    Sorry, this wasn’t that flavorful to me. I couldn’t taste the lemon much at all in the sauce. I doubt I will make this again, as it was super boring and lacked flavor. I made this recipe as noted.
    It was just uneventful for me and my family. It was so-so, just okay, but really “meh”.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      September 30, 2021

      Hi, this normally has a ton of lemony flavor. I wonder if maybe you used a concentrated lemon rather than freshly squeezed? I haven’t had that feedback about it being lacking in lemon flavor. I suspect it was the type of lemon juice.

      Reply

    • Kate Pigula
      September 30, 2021

      This recipe is delicious. Can’t imagine not being a hit with you.
      the lemon gives it great flavor, Fresh squeezed.Better luck next time.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        September 30, 2021

        Hi Kate, I’m so happy you loved it! Thanks for sharing your great review.

        Reply

    • Kate Pigula
      September 30, 2021

      I thought this recipe was super delicious.

      Reply

  • Marina Radchuk
    September 27, 2021

    DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!! I felt like I was in Italy again!!! I made this for a special dinner date with hubby and he couldn’t get enough of it. The lemon sauce is to die for!!!!! I made extra just in case and I’m so happy I did because we loved the sauce most! Not only was this recipe so fast to make but also gluten free🙌🙌🙌. I would give this 10 stars!!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 28, 2021

      Love it! I’m happy to have read your review, Marina. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  • Michele
    September 27, 2021

    Best chicken recipe ever! I made it last night. So juicy and flavorful! Thanks Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 27, 2021

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Michele!

      Reply

  • Creek
    September 22, 2021

    Made this last night – it was easy and delicious! Very moist and tangy. Today I ate the leftovers, and it was possibly even better than yesterday! This would be a good recipe to serve to guests.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 22, 2021

      Don’t you love when that happens! I’m so happy to hear you loved this recipe, Creek!

      Reply

  • Dee
    September 22, 2021

    Can lemon chicken be revised for the crockpot?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 22, 2021

      Hi Dee, I haven’t tried keeping it in a slow cooker or crock pot to advise.

      Reply

  • Julie
    September 21, 2021

    Delicious 😋

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 22, 2021

      Thanks, Julie!

      Reply

  • Angela
    September 21, 2021

    My family loved this recipe! I had no issues with the breading sticking but had made sure to dry my chicken before breading. I ended up just making the sauce in the same pan as my chicken cooked while it rested. Delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 21, 2021

      I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, Angela! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Joyce
    September 20, 2021

    Followed the recipe to a “Tee” and it came out perfect, I would definitely make it again

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 20, 2021

      Great to hear that it turned out great, Joyce! Thanks for your good comments and feedback.

      Reply

  • Kalie
    September 20, 2021

    This is a favorite in our house and I shared the recipe with my mom who said it was a hit there, too!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 20, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Kalie! I’m so glad it was a hit!

      Reply

  • Arianna
    September 18, 2021

    So I made this last night and it came out amazing. I was short of a few utensils like measuring cups, but even without that it turned out pretty good. Will definitely try again.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 18, 2021

      I’m so glad it all worked out! Yay!

      Reply

  • Mary Mc
    September 17, 2021

    This turned out perfectly. I saw comments about the crust not sticking, however, mine was perfect. I laid mine in-between paper towels, for 5ish minutes, ensuring the meat was dry. Definite repeat. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 17, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Mary!

      Reply

  • Katie
    September 7, 2021

    I’m eating it right now!
    It turned out great, but for whatever reason, 1 breast is perfect, and the other, the breading didn’t stick.
    I’ll try it again !

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 7, 2021

      Hi Katie! Thank you for sharing that with me! I hope they both work out great for you next time!

      Reply

      • Olivia Gaspar
        September 9, 2021

        Batter did not stick to the chicken well at all.

        Reply

        • Natasha
          September 9, 2021

          Hi Olivia, for best results, make sure you don’t skip the dipping in egg wash step first and also make sure to use a good non-stick pan which definitely helps prevent sticking and keeps the breading on with any kind of breaded chicken. I hope that is helpful.

          Reply

  • Novella
    September 2, 2021

    Great recipe! Everyone enjoyed. It was so easy to make.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 3, 2021

      Thanks for your great feedback, glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Mike
    August 16, 2021

    Very good my kids liked it! Relatively simple to make.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 16, 2021

      That is the best when kids love what we parents make. That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Mat Hausherr
    August 16, 2021

    Hi Natasha, just made this recipe and I loved it. The only thing was that the butter sauce was too heavy for the rest of the family. What would you suggest replacing it with?

    Reply

  • Kimberly Saar
    August 12, 2021

    I have made your chicken salad with grapes and celery and cook pecans……………..OMGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was soooooo GOOD…. I also 2x have made your stuffed spinach………….was AMAZING Thank you for sharing…. <3

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 12, 2021

      Yum! That’s just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Ellen Miller
    August 11, 2021

    Can this recipe be frozen? At what point I’m the recipe would you freeze it?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 11, 2021

      Hi Ellen, I haven’t tried freezing this before to advise. If you experiment, please let me know how you like that.

      Reply

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