Easy Lemon Chicken Skillet: Best 20-Minute Family Dinner
A quick and easy lemon chicken skillet recipe that comes together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan meal features juicy chicken thighs in a bright, buttery lemon garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 medium lemons (zest and juice)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup (120ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Let sit while prepping other ingredients.
- Zest one lemon and juice both lemons. Set zest aside.
- Mince the garlic cloves.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Scrape up browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and sprinkle with lemon zest. Warm through for 1 minute.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, let chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking. Don’t skip drying the chicken for a good sear. If sauce is too tart, add a pinch of sugar. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (without s
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 35
Keywords: lemon chicken, skillet dinner, quick chicken recipe, 20-minute meal, weeknight dinner, one-pan chicken