Description
A flavorful one-pan recipe featuring juicy lemon butter chicken breasts cooked alongside tender asparagus in a rich, garlicky lemon butter sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish combines bright citrus notes with savory herbs for a wholesome and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces Boneless skinless chicken breasts (Ensure thickness is even for uniform cooking)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 pinch Paprika (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil (Used for searing)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (Base of the buttery sauce)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced, aromatic component)
- 1 cup Chicken broth (Enhances flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice (Adds acidity)
- 1 cup Lemon slices (For additional flavor)
- 1 bunch Asparagus (Trimmed)
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley (Chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and optional paprika to enhance flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, then simmer the mixture for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly and meld flavors.
- Add Vegetables and Lemon: Place lemon slices and trimmed asparagus in the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is tender-crisp but still bright green.
- Combine and Warm Through: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and simmer together for an additional 2 minutes to warm through and allow flavors to combine.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve the lemon butter chicken and asparagus warm, optionally accompanied by rice or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness to promote uniform cooking and prevent drying out.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika as desired to suit your taste preferences.
- You can substitute asparagus with green beans or broccoli for variation.
- Pair with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to make it a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to maintain moisture.
