Lemon Butter Chicken One Pan Healthy Wellplated Com

Lemon and chicken are just a match made in heaven, and it’s clear that I’m not the only one who feels that way. Anytime I share recipes that involve lemon and chicken (like Baked Lemon Chicken, Chicken Piccata, or Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup), readers just seem to eat them up… figuratively and literally. However, this creamy lemon butter chicken recipe may just be the best of the bunch:

Made in under an hour in only ONE pan (like this Skillet Tomato Chicken), it’s an easy lemon butter chicken that is simple to prep, easy to cook, and a breeze to clean up. My healthy version skips the heavy cream and instead opts for rich and creamy coconut milk.This endlessly versatile recipe can be made with your choice of green vegetable. We went with green beans, but lemon butter chicken with broccoli, asparagus, or spinach would all be delightful.

Similar to Chicken Francaise with its fast prep, bright and creamy sauce, and one-pan prowess, get ready because this will be the BEST lemon butter chicken recipe you’ve ever made.

How to Make Lemon Butter Chicken

Tender, juicy chicken breasts bathing in a creamy lemon butter sauce made without cream (similar to Garlic Butter Shrimp), this easy chicken dinner is quick enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for a dinner party with your in-laws. This easy lemon butter chicken starts on the stove, then transitions to the oven.

The Ingredients

Chicken. Lean, juicy chicken breasts are my go-to protein for this easy lemon butter chicken recipe (if you love chicken breast too, don’t miss the best-ever Baked Chicken Breast).

Lemon. You can’t have lemon butter chicken without plenty of bright and zippy lemon flavor that comes from using both the juice and zest. (Lemon lovers, check out this Lemon Basil Chicken recipe.)Full-Fat Coconut Milk. Most lemon butter chicken recipes call for heavy whipping cream. Instead, I took a note from my favorite Thai Chicken Curry and used full-fat coconut milk. DELICIOUS.

Garlic and Shallots. Add depth to the sauce and make it smell truly divine.Green Beans. Offer a full serving of veggies to make this a complete meal in a single pan.

Butter. Adds just a touch of extra richness and provides enough fat to sear and saute the chicken and vegetables to perfection.Italian Seasoning. Give the sauce a little Italian flair and complements the garlic and shallots.Fresh Herbs. The perfect fresh green garnish. Parsley and thyme are great year-around; basil or oregano would also be lovely.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Lemon butter chicken leftovers may be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.To Reheat. For best results, warm the lemon butter sauce in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until steaming. Reheat the chicken and green beans in the microwave until heated through. Top with warm sauce and serve.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Oven Safe Skillet. This skillet will take you from stovetop to oven.Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to check your chicken for doneness.Chef’s Knife. For all of your everyday chopping needs.

Warning: this baked lemon butter chicken smells incredible. Side effects may include your entire family showing up in your kitchen while it cooks. (This Crock Pot Chicken Marsala has a similar effect.)

Pasta. Serve the chicken and vegetables over whole wheat noodles. This Pasta al Limone would be especially nice too.Brown Rice. How we ate it! I cut the chicken and vegetables into smaller pieces, then mixed them and the sauce with brown rice. See Instant Pot Brown Rice for a simple cooking method.Lemon Rice. For true citrus lovers.Cauliflower Rice. Ideal for those looking to keep the recipe low carb or seeking keto lemon butter chicken breasts.Warm Bread. A crust baguette or this Rosemary Olive Oil Bread is ideal for sauce dunking.Roasted Vegetables of Your Choice. Try Roasted Potatoes or Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts.