Description
A quick and flavorful lemon basil chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a zesty lemon butter sauce infused with fresh basil and garlic. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner that pairs well with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- â…“ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking, then season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Stir in lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and chicken broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate deep flavor. Let the mixture simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Finish Sauce: Reduce heat to low and whisk in the unsalted butter until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened. Then stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the lemon basil sauce over them, and let everything simmer together for another 1–2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Serve the chicken warm, garnished with extra basil or lemon slices if desired, alongside your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Pairs well with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can substitute boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor and juicier texture.
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking.
