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 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

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

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Marg
    February 27, 2023

    Made this for first time, as always your recipes are delish. Only change was I used lemon pepper. Another new rotation!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 27, 2023

      Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Katina
    February 25, 2023

    This was Amazing! I had to add juice from 2 key limes because I didn’t have enough lemon juice, I also added in addition, lemon pepper seasoning. Yum it tasted like the lemon chicken from our favorite Chinese restaurant Red Dragon

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 25, 2023

      Hi Katina! It’s great to hear that you loved this recipe. Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  • Maren
    February 24, 2023

    Has anyone tried this without the chicken broth? It’s the one thing I don’t have in hand

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 24, 2023

      Hi Maren! It should be fine to use water, but you may need to season the recipe a bit more if it’s too bland.

      Reply

  • Louann
    February 23, 2023

    Your recipes are wonderful. I plan to make this tonight using thighs. We love recipes with lemon.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 23, 2023

      Hi Louann! I’m so glad you love my recipes. Thank you for sharing. I hope you love this one too.

      Reply

  • explorefood715
    February 19, 2023

    Oh my god! I tried this recipe for the first time and my husband said WOW! the taste is amazing Natasha. For anyone who wants to try please do you will not regret. Although the procedure and recipe seems too much and looks hard but it is not..The best!
    Well done!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 19, 2023

      Thank you for the wonderful feedback! 🙂

      Reply

  • Sonia
    February 18, 2023

    Hi Natasha, this recipe is awesome…I have tried many of your recipes and the whole family loves them!! Thank you so much for sharing ❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 18, 2023

      Hi Sonia! You’re so very welcome. I’m happy to hear you enjoy the recipe.

      Reply

  • Mike
    February 14, 2023

    When you say grated parm for this, do you use the shaker cheese or does this work with fresh grated parm? I usually use the fresh stuff but concerned it would be melty with the ratio to flour you use.

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 15, 2023

      Hi Mike, I like to grate parmesan fresh for recipes, so I use a block that I great, but you can also purchase parmesan cheese in the fridge section that has already been grated. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Lois
    February 11, 2023

    Making this today but want to freeze it for Valentine’s Day. Will that work? Any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 11, 2023

      Hi Lois, we prefer this recipe fresh. I haven’t tried freezing it, though, and I worry the parmesan breading will get soggy once defrosted.

      Reply

      • Lois
        February 11, 2023

        Thanks so much getting right back. I think I’ll try it and hope for the best. I’ll pan cook it first as you say and hold the sauce until day of serving.

        Reply

        • Lois
          February 14, 2023

          Letting you know, freezing the cooked chicken on a sheet pan worked out perfectly. Reheated in the oven slowly. Added the sauce which thickened in baking dish. Everyone was loving it! Thank you for such a wonderful delicious recipe!

          Reply

          • Natashas Kitchen
            February 14, 2023

            I’m so glad that worked out well, Lois! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!

  • Ginny
    February 9, 2023

    I made this Lemon Chicken for dinner tonight. It was amazing!!! Super quick and easy to make and SO incredibly delicious!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 9, 2023

      Hi Ginny! Thank you for sharing, I’m so glad you loved it!

      Reply

  • Dj
    February 8, 2023

    We tried this tonight. So far I would say Natasha that you are bating 100% with my husband. The crust of this chicken was excellent! I’ve already added a couple more of your recipe to next week’s menu! I can’t wait to try them!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 8, 2023

      Haha! I’m so glad it was a hit. Thank you.

      Reply

  • Rosa from Milwaukee
    February 8, 2023

    Delicious and looked great! I did season my pounded chicken with lemon pepper seasoning before doing the egg wash. I also left the chicken in the egg mixture for 30 minutes before coating with the flour/Parmesan. My teenagers loved it. I served it with quinoa and brown rice and a zucchini sauté.Everyone said it was restaurant quality!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 8, 2023

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

      Reply

  • Jennifer
    February 7, 2023

    I made this last night and everyone loved it. I used Pecorino romano cheese instead of parmesan and it worked out nicely. I will definitely be making again.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 7, 2023

      Hi Jennifer! That’s great to hear. I’m so glad it was a hit. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Susie Q
    February 6, 2023

    Is there a way to substitute eggs in this recipe? My family has egg allergies but this sounds lovely!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 6, 2023

      Hi Susie, I haven’t tried any other substitute to advise. I. checked the comments section too and didn’t see anyone else who used a substitute ingredient for eggs.

      Reply

  • Brooke
    February 4, 2023

    I can’t wait to make this recipe!! Look like yet another amazing recipe of yours. What pan is pictured in the photos? I would like to get one!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 4, 2023

      I hope you love it, Brooke! I’m glad the recipe was enjoyed. Click HERE to see my favorite cookware. A non-stick pan works best for this recipe.

      Reply

  • Marina Radchuk
    February 3, 2023

    FOREVER MY FAVORITE LEMON-FLAVORED DISH!!! My taste buds felt like they were in Italy. I made this recipe countless times and each time, I was amazed by the flavor and the simplicity of the ingredients. I keep lemons and parmesan cheese stocked up in my house specifically for this dish. Oh, and did I mention how pretty it looks on a plate?!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 3, 2023

      Hi Marina! Thank you for the wonderful feedback. I’m so glad you loved this recipe.

      Reply

  • Jean
    January 30, 2023

    Wonderful and won’t disappoint you! Chicken is tender and a lil bit crunchy on the outside! Hubby loved it!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 30, 2023

      So glad you loved it, Jean! Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • Shirley
    January 26, 2023

    I am planning to make this tomorrow, but my family hates Parmesan. Any alternatives?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 26, 2023

      Hi Shirley! I have not tested an alternative. I assume another cheese with a similar texture may work but you’d have to experiment.

      Reply

    • Jackie
      March 2, 2023

      Hi Shirley…..just as an aside, you really don’t taste the parm in this recipe . It’s more of a textural experience. I am willing to bet that if you told no one there was parm in the recipe, they would never know it was there! It’s a beautiful flavor!

      Reply

  • Renee
    January 25, 2023

    So good!! Though I have a question on what kind of skillet you use? We used stainless steel and the breading stuck to the skillet! We made it work but was wondering about a better option 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 25, 2023

      Hi Renee! Here is a link to my favorite cookeware. We love the HexClad pan.

      Reply

  • Joy Vivadelli
    January 25, 2023

    Oh my goodness! This was so delicious. I will definitely be making this again and again. I wonder if it would be possible to cut down on the butter a little.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 25, 2023

      Hi Joy! I’m glad you loved it. Thank you for the review. Let us know how it turns out if you experiment with less butter! 🙂

      Reply

  • Terri
    January 18, 2023

    This was absolutely delish! My husband and son raved. I was lazy and didn’t slice up lemon or add parsley at the end. Just plated the chicken breasts poured some of the sauce over them. This recipe would also be amazing for fish!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 18, 2023

      So glad it was a hit! Thank you for the review.

      Reply

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