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.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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 1513 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

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

4.98 from 1513 votes (1,067 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Megan
    May 1, 2022

    This sounds really good. I already have pork chops thawing for tonight’s dinner. Can this be made with boneless thin pork chops?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 1, 2022

      Hi Megan, I imagine that will also work but the cooking time might be different. Please share with us how it goes if you do an experiment!

      Reply

    • wendy
      June 8, 2022

      I did, boneless pork loin chops, and it was equally awesome.

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        June 8, 2022

        Thank you so much for sharing that with us!

        Reply

  • Beth
    April 29, 2022

    Very good subtle flavor. The chicken came out so tender. I think I would like the sauce to be thicker so next time I plan to add some heavy cream to the sauce.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 29, 2022

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Beth!

      Reply

  • Bea
    April 25, 2022

    Tried this recipe tonight for dinner. It was the Bomb!! My sides were zucchini and mashed potatoes. I also shared it with my grand daughters. I didn’t have a non stick skillet so I cooked it in an aluminum fry pan and I was so glad it didn’t stick! Will be making this again! I love your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 25, 2022

      Sounds great, Bea! So great to know that you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for the review!

      Reply

  • Christy
    April 14, 2022

    Thank you for this delicioso recipe. I make it practically once a week. My family loved it even the children. I even make just the sauce to add to plain old grilled chicken breasts when i’m in a dinner pinch. Will be back to try your other recipes!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 14, 2022

      Sounds great and I’m so happy to hear that! I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try.

      Reply

  • Gloria
    April 11, 2022

    We enjoyed this very much. Love the grouping of ingredients, made it soooo easy. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 11, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gloria!

      Reply

  • Mitchell
    April 6, 2022

    This recipe tells you what ingredients but doesn’t say how much to use ? Do I just wing it? Is this just me maybe I’m too old to follow recipes online or I’m not seeing them in this case I’m too old to follow recipes on the internet.

    Looks really good. Maybe I’ll hire the neighbor kid to help.

    Thanks Anyways.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 6, 2022

      Hi Mitchell, we have the breakdown on the printable recipe card. Click “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post and you will see the ingredients list and instructions.

      Reply

  • Alyson
    April 6, 2022

    Hi Natasha! I’ve made this recipe multiple times. We love it. I was wondering if you can make it ahead of time and reheat for a large party?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 6, 2022

      Hi Alyson, we prefer it fresh! But I bet you can make a it a bit ahead and either keep it warm or reheat in an oven or pan.

      Reply

  • Lyzette
    April 2, 2022

    I made this for dinner tonight with fresh steamed broccoli and it was amazing. Next time, I will try adding a little lemon zest to see if that amplifies the lemon even more. No matter what, the recipe is perfect as it is. Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 3, 2022

      Sounds great! Thank you for sharing that with us, Lyzette. I’m happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Julie
    March 28, 2022

    Hi! Curious if there’s a good substitute for the egg. My son is allergic.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 28, 2022

      Hi Julie, I have not tested an alternative method. You’d have to experiment.

      Reply

    • Jenna
      April 10, 2022

      My mother cannot have eggs. We have found a great substitution for eggs with aquafaba (from chickpeas). Works as a great substitute in breading.

      Reply

  • Vicky
    March 28, 2022

    Made this for my husband and I for dinner tonight. Really love the crispy coating and the tang of the lemon sauce. Had to cut the recipe a little for two, but it was great.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 28, 2022

      Hi Vicky! Thank you for the review. So glad you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply

  • Sharon
    March 28, 2022

    My husband and my favorite recipe. We are sauce people so I double the sauce. SO YUMMY!!! Wouldn’t change a thing in regards to the recipe, as it is perfect the way it is.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 28, 2022

      Wonderful! So glad you enjoy this recipe. The sauce is so yummy! Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  • Karen Loucks Rinedollar
    March 28, 2022

    Delicious! Tender! Ended up having to sub three different types of cheeses (parm, feta and mex cheddar blend) as we were short- and it still tasted great!!! We will definitely make again. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 28, 2022

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Karen! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Victoria Z
    March 27, 2022

    Made this recipe for a small dinner party and everyone loved it – so flavorful! thanks so much

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 27, 2022

      Yay. that’s fantastic! Thanks a lot for sharing, Victoria.

      Reply

  • Mary
    March 23, 2022

    This went over well. Next time I’m going to serve it with couscous since that also cooks quickly and will pick up every bit of flavour and the bits of garlic and Parmesan

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 23, 2022

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

      Reply

  • Wendy
    March 18, 2022

    This is absolutely DELICIOUS!! Every recipe of yours that I have made has been fantastic! Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2022

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Wendy!

      Reply

  • Carrie
    March 16, 2022

    OMG everyone in my home is so so picky! but they all loved this meal and was so satisfied. Thanks so much for posting this, I look forward to making this again.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 16, 2022

      You know it’s good when the picky eaters love it too! That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Joni
    March 10, 2022

    My husband and I loved this. My only wish is that the lemon sauce was creamy. But it was still delicious.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 10, 2022

      Hi Joni! I am happy you enjoyed this recipe. Yes, a creamy sauce would be yummy! Be sure to check out this recipe if you haven’t already. It combines both the breaded chicken with creamy pasta! Click HERE for Lemon Chicken Pasta recipe.

      Reply

    • JP
      March 13, 2022

      Just add some sour cream while you’re thickening the sauce.

      Reply

  • Cassidy Benard
    March 10, 2022

    Made this last night with mashed potatoes and roasted carrots. so good! the chicken tasted perfect. Just wrote it down for my recipe box

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 10, 2022

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

      Reply

  • Michele Boyle
    March 7, 2022

    This is a delicious recipe and very simple! My sister loved it and she is difficult to please!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 7, 2022

      That is great to hear! I’m glad it was enjoyed!

      Reply

  • Lora
    March 6, 2022

    My husband loves anything that has lemon in it. So do I. I will be making this tonight but I plan to add chopped green onions as the garnish simply because I have some in the fridge.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 6, 2022

      Sounds like a great plan! Please update us on how it goes.

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.