Quick and Healthy Lemon Chicken Recipe

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Lemon Chicken is a fast, easy, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinner for the cook who doesn’t have time to cook and wants a simple, easy, and delicious dinner for the family. You can also try my Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe , Best Ever Chicken Cordon Bleu, or Caprese Lasagna Roll-ups.

Updated Recipe on 9/14/2024

This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Key Takeaways:

Quick and Healthy Dinner Option
Lemon chicken is a fast, easy, and healthy recipe perfect for busy weeknights, combining great flavor with simple preparation.
Nutritional Benefits
Chicken breast is a low-fat, high-protein option rich in essential vitamins and minerals, paired with lemons for an immune-boosting meal.
Efficient Portioning
Large chicken breasts can be butterflied and divided into smaller portions, providing flexibility in serving sizes.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
The dish requires basic pantry staples like seasonings, broth, white wine, and lemon, yet delivers a rich and tangy taste.
Versatile Pairings
Lemon chicken can be served with rice, roasted vegetables, or fresh salad, making it a versatile main course adaptable to various sides.
Global Appeal with Customization
Lemon chicken is celebrated across different cuisines and can be tailored with alternative ingredients like lime juice or vinegar if lemons are unavailable.

Overview

This Lemon Chicken recipe is a quick, no-fuss solution for anyone craving a healthy, flavorful dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features lean, protein-packed chicken breasts seasoned and seared to perfection, then simmered in a bright, tangy lemon-garlic sauce made with pantry staples like broth, white wine, and fresh lemon juice. The dish comes together in under 30 minutes and delivers restaurant-quality taste with minimal effort. Not only is it customizable and family-friendly, but it’s also nutritionally balanced—rich in essential vitamins, low in fat, and easy to pair with salads, roasted veggies, or rice. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or cooking for yourself, this simple yet smart dish checks all the boxes: fast, healthy, comforting, and undeniably delicious.

Nutrition of a Chicken Breast

A serving of chicken breast, typically around 4 ounces, is low in fat and calories, making it an excellent option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight. It is also an excellent source of protein, providing all nine essential amino acids that our bodies need for optimal functioning. Additionally, chicken breast is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, niacin, phosphorus, and selenium. These nutrients are vital in maintaining good health, supporting the immune system, and promoting proper cell function. In today’s recipe, we are combining it with lemons, which are also great for maintaining a healthy immune system. Bon appetite.

What are the ingredients for this SIS (simple is smart dish)

Have you noticed how the boneless skinless chicken breasts are huge? The recommended serving of protein is 4-6 ounces. I just weighed the chicken breasts I purchased, and each breast was about 16 ounces. Whoa, that is enough for 4 servings, not one serving. So I decided to split the difference and make it into two servings for each breast.

You will need seasonings, broth or stock, minced garlic, a little white wine, and lemon in addition to the chicken breasts.

Step by Step instructions.

Butterfly the chicken breast to make 4 pieces of chicken. Then pound each piece until it is about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Season each piece of chicken breast with Montreal Chicken Seasoning (affiliate). An alternative is some Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Dredge the chicken pieces in flour and then fry in butter until browned and their internal temp is 170-degrees F. Set aside.
In the same frypan, add some butter and minced garlic. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, and then add a couple of tbsp. Of flour and the Italian seasoning.
Once the flour is browned a bit, add the liquid: chicken stock, white wine, and lemon juice.
Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbly and has thickened. Add the cooked chicken breasts and heat through. Serve immediately.

This is one of Farmer Fred’s favorite chicken recipes. I love how healthy it is and how fast and simple it is to make. For another healthy dinner, idea try my

Lobster Crusted Baked Grouper or

Hawaiian Pork Chops.

Looking for something low-carb for dinner than stop right here and check out these recipes.

Crab Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Healthy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Immune Boosting Vegetable Soup

Marry Me Chicken Orzo

FAQ's For Lemon Chicken

What does lemon do for chicken?

Lemon adds a burst of bright and tangy flavor to chicken that is simply irresistible. Not only does it enhance the taste, but it also tenderizes the meat, making it juicy and succulent. The acidity of lemon juice helps break down the chicken’s proteins, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish. Additionally, lemon juice can act as a natural marinade, infusing the chicken with its zesty essence. Whether you squeeze some fresh lemon juice over grilled chicken or use it as a key ingredient in a marinade, this citrus fruit elevates the flavor profile of chicken dishes to new heights. So next time you cook chicken, don’t forget to reach for that lemon!

What do you eat lemon chicken with?

Lemon chicken is a delicious and tangy dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. One popular option is to pair it with rice. The fluffy and fragrant texture of the rice complements the zesty flavors of the chicken, creating a perfect balance of taste. Another great choice is to serve lemon chicken with a side of roasted vegetables. The crispiness of the vegetables adds a nice contrast to the tender chicken, while their natural sweetness enhances the citrusy notes of the dish. For those looking for a lighter option, a fresh salad with a citrus-based dressing can be a great accompaniment to lemon chicken. The refreshing greens and the tangy dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the savory chicken. Overall, there are numerous options to enjoy lemon chicken with, making it a versatile and mouthwatering meal.

What culture is lemon chicken from?

Lemon chicken is a popular dish that can be found in various cultures around the world. While it is difficult to pinpoint its exact origins, lemon chicken is commonly associated with Chinese cuisine. In Chinese cooking, lemon chicken is typically made by marinating chicken pieces in a tangy lemon sauce, then stir-frying or deep-frying them until crispy and golden. The result is a delicious combination of tender chicken with a zesty and refreshing flavor. However, lemon chicken variations can also be found in other cuisines, such as Mediterranean and American. Regardless of its cultural origins, one thing is for sure – lemon chicken is loved by many for its bright and citrusy taste.

What is lemon chicken sauce made from?

Lemon chicken sauce is a delightful and tangy addition to any poultry dish. This zesty sauce is typically made from a combination of fresh lemon juice, chicken broth, and a touch of butter or olive oil. The star ingredient, of course, is the lemon, which provides a burst of citrusy flavor that complements the richness of the chicken. Some recipes may also call for additional seasonings such as garlic, herbs like thyme or parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The sauce is usually cooked on the stovetop until it thickens slightly, creating a glossy and flavorful accompaniment to grilled, roasted, or sautéed chicken.

What can I substitute for lemons in lemon chicken?

If you find yourself craving some delicious lemon chicken but don’t have any lemons on hand, fear not! There are several substitutes you can use to achieve that tangy, citrusy flavor. One option is to use vinegar, specifically white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. These vinegars have a similar acidity to lemons and can add the necessary tang to your chicken dish. Another alternative is to use lime juice instead of lemon juice. While the flavor will be slightly different, lime juice can still provide that refreshing zestiness that lemon brings to the table. Lastly, you can try using a combination of orange juice and white vinegar. This mixture can mimic the tartness of lemons and give your chicken a unique and enjoyable twist. So, even without lemons, you can still enjoy a flavorful and zestful lemon chicken

Pop on over to my social media sites, where you’ll find exclusive Doctor Jo’s pictures of what’s new in my gardens. Also, what new recipes I’m creating in my kitchen. I love your comments. The comment section is down at the end of the blog, after the recipe. So let me know what you think in the Leave a Reply section at the end of this blog. Please leave your first name at the end of your comment, and I will reply to you by name.

4.67 from 3 votes

Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken is an easy, simple, delicious, and healthy meal. Serve it with pasta or rice for a quick weeknight dinner.

Servings

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Equipment

large fry pan
This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click a link, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you

Ingredients

2 large chicken breasts
Montreal chicken seasoning.
⅓ cup All-purpose flour (30g) plus 3 tbsp. flour to thicken the sauce.
6 tbsp butter (85g) divided in half
3 cloves garlic minced
3 cups chicken stock(700ml)
¼ cup white wine(64ml)
3-4 tbsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice (juice of one large lemon)

Instructions

Butterfly the chicken breast to make four thin pieces from each breast. Eight pieces total. Pound the pieces with a tenderizer mallet until they are about 1/4 inch thick.
Season with the Montreal Chicken Seasoning, or use salt and pepper.
Dredge in flour to coat both sides.
Melt three tbsp of the butter in a frypan and cook the chicken breasts until brown, and the internal temp is 170°F (77°C). Remove from the frypan and set aside. Cook in two batches if necessary. You may need to add extra butter if you cook in two batches.
Add the second three tbsp of butter and the minced garlic to the frypan. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1minute. Add the three tbsp flour and cook until lightly browned.
Whisk in the stock, wine, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Simmer until thickened.
Add the chicken breasts and heat through. Serve immediately with pasta or rice and a vegetable.

Video

Notes

If you don't have Montreal Chicken Seasoning you can substitute salt and pepper plus Italian seasoning.

The Lemon Chicken is delicious served with brown rice or pasta.

Calories: 333kcal

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: easy, fast dinner dish, healthy, lemon chicken

Nutrition

Best Lemon Chicken Recipe