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holding a plate of creamy lemon chicken
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5 from 1 vote

Creamy Lemon Chicken

Creamy lemon chicken is an easy low carb recipe that is quickly cooked in a skillet.  The creamy lemon sauce is simple to make with capers, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and real cream.  Serve this tasty meal for your family’s dinner tonight.  It’s delish, and oh so lemony!
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 488kcal

Ingredients
 

For the Chicken

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Sprinkle of salt and pepper

For the Creamy Sauce

  • 1 ½ tablespoons garlic minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • sprinkle of salt and pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons capers drained
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest finely grated

For the Garnish

  • 4 thin lemon slices cut in half (from one large lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Instructions

Cooking the Breasts

  • Pat the breasts dry with a paper towel.  Slice them in half horizontally with a sharp chef's knife to get four thin chicken breasts.
  • Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the meat on the cutting board.  Pound the breast thin with the smooth side of a meat mallet.  Start in the center and move outward, stopping when you have achieved your desired thickness.
  • Place the breasts on two plates, then sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium high heat.  Once the oil starts shimmering, place the breasts in the skillet.  Turn the heat down to medium and cook it for 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown.  Turn down the heat to medium low if the oil starts spitting.  Put the cooked chicken on two clean plates.

Making the Creamy Sauce

  • Sauté the garlic over medium high heat for one minute in the leftover fat from the meat.
  • Pour in the stock to deglaze the pan and scrape the bottom to loosen any browned bits.
  • Decrease the heat to medium and add the cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and capers.  Sprinkle in salt and pepper and bring to a gentle simmer.  Let it cook for a couple of minutes, whisking occasionally.
  • While the sauce is simmering, make the beurre manié by mixing equal parts softened butter and flour.  Add one small spoonful of the butter paste to the sauce at a time, whisking until it's incorporated.  Keep adding it a spoonful at a time until the sauce is thickened.  The beurre manié will add a nice shine and satiny texture to the sauce.
  • Whisk in the zest and any juices on the plates from the meat.  Add the breasts to the sauce and cook over a medium low heat for 4 minutes so the meat can heat through.
  • Place the breasts on individual plates, and spoon the creamy sauce over each one.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon slices.  Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
  • Increase the lemon flavor by adding more lemon juice, zest, and slices.
  • Leftover lemon sauce can be served later on pasta or mashed potatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 543mg | Potassium: 356mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1306IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 278mg | Iron: 1mg
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