Enjoy Lemon Chicken, a juicy and flavor-packed dish ready in just 30 minutes. Made with chicken breast, simple seasonings, and a zesty Lemon Butter Sauce, it's an easy, versatile meal perfect for any lunch or dinner. Pair it with pasta, rice, or vegetables for a delicious, restaurant-quality experience.
Prepare the coating mixture by combining all-purpose flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, chili flakes, black pepper powder, Italian herbs, and salt in a tray. Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed for a uniform flavor in every bite.
Gently coat each chicken breast in the flour mixture, making sure it's evenly covered for a consistent crispy texture. Shake off any excess flour to avoid clumping. Repeat this step for each chicken breast, setting them aside on a separate plate.
Frying the Chicken
In a large pan, pour in oil and add butter. Heat over medium flame until the butter is fully melted and mixed with the oil, creating a perfect blend for frying.
Carefully place the flour-coated chicken breasts in the pan. Fry them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Look for a golden and crispy exterior as a sign of perfect doneness.
Once the chicken is evenly fried and golden brown, remove it from the oil. Set the chicken aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil, preserving its crispiness for serving.
Preparing Lemon Butter Sauce
In the same pan, retain the mixture of butter and oil. Add chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing them until they release their enticing aroma, setting the base for a flavorful sauce.
Next, incorporate the chicken bouillon, a pinch of chili flakes, a dash of black pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian herbs. Stir thoroughly, ensuring these seasonings meld together, enriching the sauce's complexity.
Pour in the fresh lemon juice, add water, and place lemon slices into the mix. Stir well and let it simmer, allowing it to boil gently for 3 to 5 minutes. This process will infuse the sauce with a tangy lemon essence, preparing it to welcome the chicken.
Making Lemon Chicken
Carefully add the fried chicken breasts to the pan, immersing them in the lemon garlic butter sauce. Coat each piece evenly, ensuring the flavors seep into every crevice.
Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes. This crucial step lets the chicken absorb the sauce's myriad flavors, enhancing its taste and tenderness.
To finish, sprinkle fresh parsley leaves over the chicken as a garnish, adding a burst of color and freshness. Once garnished, remove the pan from the heat. Your Lemon Chicken is now ready to delight the senses.
Serving
Serve your Lemon Chicken hot, ideally paired with a side of your choice for a complete meal. For more pairing ideas, refer to the Serving Suggestions section.
Notes
Enhance your Lemon Chicken with these key tips, designed to perfect every aspect of the dish.
Seasoning Flexibility: While the recipe uses a mix of fundamental spices and herbs, feel free to personalize it. Adjust the seasoning to match your flavor preferences, experimenting with different herbs or spice levels for a unique twist on both the flour coating and the sauce.
Breading Options: This recipe offers a simpler, non-breaded version of Lemon Chicken. However, if time allows, consider using the breading technique from the Chicken Parmesan Recipe for added crunch and texture, elevating the dish to a more classic breading style.
Achieving the Best Flavor: The secret to a rich and savory lemon butter sauce lies in using chicken bouillon. For a slightly different but equally delicious flavor, you can substitute with ½ cup of chicken broth, ensuring to leave out the water from the original recipe to balance the liquid content.
Healthier Baked Variation: For a healthier alternative, bake the chicken breasts and then add them to the lemon garlic butter sauce prepared on a stovetop or in a skillet. This method offers a lighter version while retaining the delightful flavors and textures of the traditional dish.
Marinate for Moisture: If time allows, marinate the chicken breasts in a simple mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of the seasoning for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This step helps in tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with more flavor.
Even Cooking: To ensure the chicken cooks evenly, especially if you're not pounding it, let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This helps in even heat distribution during cooking.
Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can dissolve an additional teaspoon of cornstarch in a little water and stir it into the sauce as it cooks. For a thinner sauce, add a bit more broth or water.
Lemon and Salt Balance: Be mindful of the lemon's acidity. Start with less lemon juice and adjust to taste. Too much acidity can overpower the other flavors. Additionally, when using salted butter in the Lemon Chicken recipe, exercise caution with additional salt. Taste the sauce before adding extra salt, as the butter may already provide sufficient seasoning.
Resting the Chicken: After frying, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and tender.