Description
A bright and flavorful one-pan lemon basil chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a zesty lemon and herb flour mixture, pan-seared to golden perfection, then simmered briefly in a garlic lemon butter sauce enriched with fresh basil. This quick and easy skillet meal is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner with vibrant citrus notes and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Zest and juice from 1/2 lemon, divided, plus extra lemon slices for serving
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 5 leaves fresh basil, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large dish, combine the all-purpose flour, lemon zest, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Evenly coat each chicken breast piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure a light coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for about 10 minutes total, flipping once until both sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: Using the same skillet, add 4 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic. Allow the butter to melt completely and the garlic to become fragrant. Stir in the lemon juice (from the reserved 1/2 lemon) and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer briefly until it thickens slightly.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and warm through for about 1 minute. Garnish with thinly sliced fresh basil leaves and extra lemon slices before serving to add fresh herbal and citrus aromas.
Notes
- You can use fresh lemon juice and zest to brighten the dish, or substitute with bottled lemon juice if necessary, although fresh is preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Use skinless, boneless chicken breasts sliced lengthwise for even cooking; thicker pieces may need additional cooking time.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a balanced meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in a skillet or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
