You know, there are nights when the fridge looks a little bare, I’m exhausted, and the thought of cooking feels like climbing a mountain. Those are the exact nights this delicious lemon butter chicken easy skillet recipe comes to the rescue! Seriously, this dish turned my chaotic weeknights into moments of pure, simple joy. It’s become my go-to when I need something truly satisfying, incredibly flavorful, and, best of all, done all in one pan. No fuss, no massive cleanup – just pure, lemony, buttery chicken goodness that tastes like you spent hours on it.

Why You’ll Love This Delicious Lemon Butter Chicken Easy Skillet Recipe

Honestly, this recipe is a lifesaver and here’s why:

It’s SO Fast! We’re talking dinner on the table in about 30 minutes from start to finish. Perfect for those crazy weeknights!
One Pan Wonder: The best part? Everything cooks in just ONE skillet. That means way less scrubbing and way more time for you. Yes, please!
Incredible Flavor: That bright lemon, rich butter, savory chicken… the combination is just pure magic. It tastes like restaurant-quality, but it’s so easy to whip up at home.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of what you need in your pantry already. Nothing fancy required for this delicious lemon butter chicken easy skillet recipe.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even the pickiest eaters in my house gobble this up. It’s comforting, flavorful, and just plain delicious.

Gather Your Ingredients for Delicious Lemon Butter Chicken Easy Skillet Recipe

Okay, to make this amazing dish, you just need a few simple things. Honestly, it’s the beauty of this recipe – no weird ingredients required! Here’s what you’ll want to grab:

1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into about 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Thighs stay so juicy in this recipe, trust me!
1 tablespoon of olive oil. Just your regular cooking stuff.
2 tablespoons of butter. Unsalted is best so you can control the saltiness, but salted works too – just adjust later.
1 shallot, minced nice and fine. If you don’t have a shallot, a tiny bit of onion will do in a pinch, maybe just a quarter of a small one.
2 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic is essential for that amazing aroma!
1/2 cup of chicken broth. This is the base for our yummy sauce.
1/4 cup of heavy cream. This makes the sauce all luscious and creamy.
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Fresh is key here for that bright, zesty flavor!
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. For a little pop of color and freshness at the end.
Salt and black pepper. Seasoning to taste, of course!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Easy Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and it’s so much easier than you think. Just follow along with these steps, and you’ll have a delicious meal on the table in no time.

Preparing the Chicken for Your Delicious Lemon Butter Chicken Easy Skillet Recipe

First things first, let’s handle that chicken. Grab your cut-up chicken thighs and give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy! Then, get a nice big skillet hot with that tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the chicken pieces. Make sure you don’t crowd the pan – give them a little space so they can brown nicely. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes, turning them occasionally until they’re golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Once they’re done, scoop them out onto a plate and set them aside for a moment. Those brown bits left in the pan? That’s pure flavor gold!

Building the Flavorful Lemon Butter Sauce

Now, lower the heat a smidge to medium and add your butter to that same skillet. Let it melt, then toss in your minced shallot. Sauté that for about 2 minutes until it’s nice and soft and smells amazing. Next, add your minced garlic and cook for just a minute more – you want it fragrant, not burnt! This is where the sauce starts to come alive. Pour in the chicken broth, and here’s the fun part: use your spoon to scrape up all those lovely browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. That’s called deglazing, and it adds SO much depth! Let that simmer for a minute, then stir in the heavy cream and fresh lemon juice. Let it bubble away gently for 2-3 minutes until it starts to thicken up just a little. See? Easy peasy!

Bringing It All Together: The Final Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken

Now for the grand finale! Return your beautifully browned chicken pieces back into the skillet with that glorious lemon butter sauce. Give everything a good toss so every piece of chicken is coated in that deliciousness. Stir in your chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Taste it – does it need a little more salt or pepper? Adjust as needed. And that’s it! You’ve made an incredible pan chicken!

Tips for Perfecting Your Delicious Lemon Butter Chicken Easy Skillet Recipe

Now that you’ve got the basics down, let me share a few little secrets that take this delicious lemon butter chicken easy skillet recipe from great to absolutely stellar. First off, don’t skimp on the fresh lemon juice! Bottled just won’t give you that bright, zingy flavor that makes this dish sing. And for the chicken, thighs are my absolute favorite here because they stay so tender and juicy. If you *have* to use breasts, just be super careful not to overcook them; maybe add them towards the end of the sauce simmering time. Oh, and a little Parmesan cheese stirred into the sauce at the very end? Game changer! It adds this subtle savory depth that’s just heavenly. And speaking of flavor boosters, don’t forget to really scrape up those browned bits in the pan when you deglaze – that’s where so much of the magic happens! If you love this lemon butter chicken, you’ll also adore my zesty lemon garlic butter chicken with green beans; it’s in a similar flavor family!

Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken

This easy skillet lemon butter chicken is so versatile! Honestly, it’s amazing served over fluffy rice or my favorite simple pasta – you can find some really delicious pasta ideas here. You know what else is fantastic? Some crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce. And if you’re looking for something a little different, a side of roasted asparagus or even a scoop of creamy potato salad, like this ultimate loaded potato salad, makes it a complete, comforting meal. Whatever you choose, it’s going to be fantastic!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

The best part about this easy skillet lemon butter chicken is that leftovers are just as delicious! Once it’s cooled down a bit, pop any extra into an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. It’ll keep perfectly for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, I love gently reheating it in a skillet over low heat, maybe with a tiny splash of chicken broth or water to loosen up that amazing sauce. You can also microwave it, just be sure to cover it to keep all that yumminess contained!

Frequently Asked Questions about Delicious Lemon Butter Chicken Easy Skillet Recipe

Got questions? I’ve got answers! This delicious lemon butter chicken easy skillet recipe is pretty forgiving, but here are a few things folks often ask:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

You absolutely can! Chicken breasts cook a bit faster and are leaner. Just be super careful not to overcook them, or they can get dry. You might want to add your chicken breasts to the sauce a minute or two later than you would the thighs to make sure they stay nice and tender.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If you like a really thick, luscious sauce, a little trick is a cornstarch slurry. Just mix about 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until it’s smooth, then whisk that into your simmering sauce at the end. Let it bubble for another minute until it thickens up beautifully. Or, just let it simmer a bit longer!

What are some variations for this easy skillet lemon butter chicken?

Oh, you can totally play with this easy skillet lemon butter chicken! For some added goodness, toss in some cherry tomatoes or asparagus spears during the last few minutes of cooking the sauce. You could also swap out the parsley for fresh dill or chives for a different herbal note. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice little kick, too!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info can change depending on the brands you use and exact measurements. But, for a serving of this tasty lemon butter chicken easy skillet recipe, you’re looking at roughly 350 calories, 20g of fat (mostly good fats!), 35g of protein, and only about 5g of carbs. It’s a lighter choice that still packs a punch!

Easy Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet

Author: faironplay.com
Total Time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A quick and flavorful lemon butter chicken recipe cooked entirely in one skillet.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add shallot and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Stir in heavy cream and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
Return chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
Stir in fresh parsley. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: lemon butter chicken, easy chicken recipe, skillet chicken, one pan chicken, quick dinner, weeknight meal