Description
This Lemon Chicken Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts, golden crispy small potatoes, and a luscious lemon cream sauce infused with fresh garlic and herbs. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that feels both fresh and comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs), pounded to even thickness
- Salt & pepper to taste
Vegetables
- 1 lb small potatoes (fingerling or baby), halved
Sauce & Flavorings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (juice and zest)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
- Fresh herbs (thyme or parsley) for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Mince the garlic cloves finely and zest the lemons. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Potatoes: In the same skillet, add halved small potatoes cut side down. Cook until the potatoes are golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 10-12 minutes, turning as needed for even cooking.
- Add Aromatics and Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the potatoes and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the potatoes. Spoon some sauce over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook together for about 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh thyme or parsley over the top before serving for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- For even cooking of the chicken, pounding the breasts to an even thickness is essential.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control the salt level in the dish.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
- If fingerling potatoes are unavailable, small Yukon gold potatoes work as a good alternative.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley add brightness, but you can omit or substitute with dried herbs if needed.
