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

  • Elaine
    February 28, 2022

    Natasha… hi… wanted to tell you how many of your recipes I have used…. Just to say a Big Thank-you Natashaskitchen… not sure how or when I found your sight but I think 😇 😇😇must have helped 😍I cook once a week for around 12-16 family members…they have raved about my dishes I cook up using your recipes… I finished your chicken Parmigiana tonight… I served it over egg noodle’s with a Salad, cheese bread toasted… Many Thanks‼️❤️

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 28, 2022

      Hello Elaine, great to hear from you, and thank you for your good feedback. I hope you and your family will love all the recipes that you will try!

      Reply

  • Alyson
    February 26, 2022

    Hi Natasha! My family loves this recipe! My husband calls it restaurant chicken. Is there any way to make this ahead of time and reheat for a party?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 26, 2022

      Hi Alyson, we always prefer to eat it fresh, I haven’t tried making it ahead, but I imagine making it in batches would be best. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • Cheryl
    February 23, 2022

    Good morning, Do you recommend using salted or unsalted butter in the Lemon Butter Sauce? Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 23, 2022

      Either would be fine but usually salted.

      Reply

  • Rosemarie Saladino
    February 13, 2022

    I loved the recipe for the lemon chicken. However, the ingredients for the lemon sauce does not list Italian seasoning, but the directions list adding Italian seasoning to sauce. How much do I add to sauce. When I made it I didn’t include that item in sauce. Help!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 14, 2022

      Hi Rosemarie, we have it listed for the egg mixture, not the lemon sauce. See on the recipe card. We add it in step #2 “In a bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the egg mixture.” I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Donna
    February 12, 2022

    This recipe was both easy AND full of flavor. One that I will be making again, for sure!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 12, 2022

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

      Reply

  • Vivian Aquino
    February 11, 2022

    I’m making this again for the 3rd time! This is my boyfriends fav dish now. So delicious, thank you for the recipe! 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 12, 2022

      You’re very welcome! I’m glad it’s a favorite.

      Reply

  • Chrissy
    February 6, 2022

    So delicious! Even my picky son liked it. This will be a new go to meal for my family. Flavor was so good. I did take another person’s recommendation of adding a little bit of honey to the sauce. So good!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 6, 2022

      That’s great! Thanks a lot for sharing that with us, good to know that your son enjoyed this recipe too and adding a little bit of honey sounds like a great idea.

      Reply

  • JennaO
    February 4, 2022

    We loved this recipe. It will be a staple in our household now. Easy and really delicious!
    We had this with warm garlic rolls and asparagus. A wonderful meal.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 5, 2022

      Yum! I am happy to hear that you enjoy this recipe. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Jordan Eienman
    February 1, 2022

    Made it with Thighs and it was amazing but a little trickier to cook! Natasha for some reason my mother-in-law always clears her plate and she is so picky!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 2, 2022

      Wow, that’s awesome! I’m happy to hear that you both enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Lexi
    February 1, 2022

    I read the comments and was hopefully the breading wouldn’t stick to the pan. Mine did with a nonstick skillet

    Reply

  • Sherri
    January 31, 2022

    I made this last night for dinner. It was delicious! Leftovers are just as good as when I first made it.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 31, 2022

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

      Reply

  • Betty Jo Cole
    January 29, 2022

    Loved this chicken recipe!! So good and the flavor just gets better with each bite! Will be making this again!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 30, 2022

      Sounds great! Thanks a lot for sharing your feedback with us.

      Reply

  • Ruthie
    January 29, 2022

    Just to make sure…I should use boneless skinless chicken??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 29, 2022

      Hi Ruthie, that’s right, we used chicken breast.

      Reply

  • Suzette
    January 27, 2022

    Great recipe! I added a couple of teaspoons of corn starch to the chicken broth to slightly thicken the delicious sauce.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 27, 2022

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

      Reply

  • Lynn
    January 24, 2022

    This was so delicious. The only thing I did differently was to reduce the butter to 4 tbsps as was suggested by another reviewer but certainly kept the essence of your recipe.
    This is a keeper.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 24, 2022

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

      Reply

  • Susan
    January 24, 2022

    This looks so good! I want to make it but am afraid of the crust falling off in the pan. Why is that? But, I’m going to make this! Love your videos!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 24, 2022

      Hi Susan, I haven’t had that experience! I can’t wait for you to try this recipe!

      Reply

  • Carol
    January 24, 2022

    These recipes are good.. What a shame that it takes 30 minutes to get through all the annoying ads that block the recipes. Never again.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 24, 2022

      Hi Carol! If you click Jump to the recipe at the top of the recipe post, that will take you straight to the recipe card!

      Reply

  • Jamie
    January 20, 2022

    I never leave comments. Went looking for chicken recipes with lemons because I have tons right now. This recipe was great! Added thyme to the egg mixture for more herbiness. And also added cornstarch to the sauce because it wasn’t thick enough for me. Hubby loved it!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 20, 2022

      I’m so glad you both loved it! Thank you for your lovely review, Jamie!

      Reply

  • Lisa
    January 20, 2022

    Oh my goodness made this tonight for dinner it was absolutely delicious, follow the recipe to the letter it WAS AMAZING thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 20, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review, Lisa!

      Reply

  • Jackie Nordeman
    January 17, 2022

    I made this for dinner tonight. It was really good! I cut the recipe down for 2, except for the sauce —because you can never have enough sauce. When I saw the measurement for the lemon juice, I thought it would be too tart and tangy but went ahead. I did find it too tart for me (citrus flavours are my fave!!) so I added roughly 2 tsps of honey and it was delightful! Served over rice and mixed garden veggies. Hubby approved recipe so it’s a keeper 😉

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 17, 2022

      I’m glad this is a keeper! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Jackie!

      Reply

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