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

  • Cande
    April 27, 2020

    Made this last night! It was awesome! Any tips on how to make the crust not stick to the pan? I used a non stick pan and oil, just need to master that part.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 27, 2020

      Hi Cande, I haven’t had that experience could it be the pan? Are you coating the chicken well?

      Reply

  • Sara
    April 26, 2020

    We loved it. Natasha, any suggestions on keeping the chicken crispy until you are ready to serve the dish?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 27, 2020

      Hi Sara, I would probably keep the chicken and sauce separate until serving and re-crisp the chicken on a skillet or air fryer.

      Reply

  • Leta Libby
    April 24, 2020

    I didn’t have the tool to beat the Chicken. I noticed parts of the chicken seem tougher than others, would beating the chicken have tenderized it? Loved the Recipe, can’t wait to make it again

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 24, 2020

      Hi Leta, it could also be due to having varying thicknesses of chicken. A really large chicken breast can be very thick on one and very slim on the other and in that case, pounding would definitely help.

      Reply

  • Mona
    April 23, 2020

    Here is one person who is not a fan of Parmesan. I always omit it from recipes, but when I read the reviews I decided I will try the recipe step by step….and guess who has no regrets! This is a really good one!! Thank you !!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 23, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Carol
    April 22, 2020

    Hi Natasha

    Here in the UK we call all purpose flour “self raising”. Is it really plain flour?
    Very confusing when your recipe requires all purpose flour.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      April 22, 2020

      Hi Carol, self-rising flour has leavening added to it to make it rise in baking. If you are just dredging in flour for sauteeing like in this recipe, I think it would work fine to use self-raising flour.

      Reply

  • Kathryn
    April 22, 2020

    OMG, I made this last night for my daughter. As it’s just the two of us,
    she was so happy that we have leftovers for tonight and so am I. My daughter called it the bomb. I served it with fettuccine and I will definitely be making it again!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 22, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Ross
    April 22, 2020

    Tried the lemon chicken this evening on the family. I never cook, but I have some time, and wanted to impress with my cooking skills! This recipe made me look good. Very good. It was so nice, and quick and easy to put together. Thank you Natasha.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 22, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Kathryn
    April 21, 2020

    I made this dish for my daughter. She was so happy that we will be having leftovers tomorrow night and so am I! She called it the bomb. I have saved this in my “Make again file”. It was so yummy!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 22, 2020

      What an awesome comment, thank you to you both for giving this recipe a try!

      Reply

  • Elaine
    April 17, 2020

    Tried the Lemon Chicken for dinner tonight. My husband loved it and wanted more. Thanks for a new recipe to add to my list.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 17, 2020

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

  • Jan
    April 16, 2020

    During this time supplies a bit low. I did this recipe with 6 chicken tenders and only had a scant 1/2 cup Parmesan so increased the flour, added sautéed mushrooms and spinach. This dinner was delicious. It’s a keeper and definitely will have this again.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 16, 2020

      So glad to know that you were able to find some substitutes, Jan. Thank you for the great feedback and I hope you love every recipe that you will try!

      Reply

  • Naomi Talbot
    April 13, 2020

    Love so many of your recipes! I make a lot from from you! Is there an option to increase servings? My husband likes left overs for his lunches, so I always make extra.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 13, 2020

      Hi Naomi, you can definitely double this recipe! We have the serving slider on the printable recipe. If you click “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the “4” highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Matt
    April 12, 2020

    I was originally going to make Chicken Parm but I saw this recipe as I was browsing Natasha’s recipes and this caught my eye. It turned out fantastic and my wife said she’d like me to make it again…. and soon! Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 12, 2020

      Love it! So happy to know that you both loved this recipe. Thank you for your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Andrea
    April 9, 2020

    This is the second recipe I’ve made of yours, does not disappoint. I am hooked! Keep the recipes coming. I look forward to trying more.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 9, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Andrea! Thank you for that great review!

      Reply

  • Linda Shalan
    April 1, 2020

    Love your recipes

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 2, 2020

      Thank you, Linda. Hope you love all the recipes that you try!

      Reply

  • Anne
    March 29, 2020

    This chicken was awesome! We typically don’t care for chicken breasts – boring and dry – but this was amazing! I made the recipe times 3 with 8 large chicken breasts for a family of 6 and my husband grabbed the last piece to set aside for his lunch tomorrow. People were literally licking their plates(we’ll have to work on their manners another time).
    Thank you for another great recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 30, 2020

      Wow that was an anazing feedback! I love that everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  • Howard
    March 28, 2020

    This was amazing. Full of flavor and easy to make. Thanks so much.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 28, 2020

      You’re welcome, Howard. I’m so glad you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Paige Haring
    March 12, 2020

    We had this tonight and the chicken was delicious. I found the sauce too buttery and would definitely cut down on the butter next time.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 12, 2020

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

      Reply

  • Maggie franco
    March 9, 2020

    Love your cooking

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 9, 2020

      Thank you for that wonderful compliment!

      Reply

  • jean
    March 8, 2020

    Just making this tonight. I used both Chicken Breast and Thighs. Chicken is super moist. Making Rice and Brussel sprouts for sides

    Very Good!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 8, 2020

      So great to hear that, Jean! Enjoy the food and hope you love every recipe that you try.

      Reply

  • Stephanie
    March 4, 2020

    I made this last night and all I can say is WOW! My family loved it and ate every bite – even my picky eater. We love your receipes.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 4, 2020

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

      Reply

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