Description
This One-Pan Lemon Basil Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection in a fragrant lemon, garlic, and herb sauce. The dish combines zesty lemon, fresh basil, and savory herbs for a delightful dinner that comes together in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 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
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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 flour, lemon zest, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Evenly coat each chicken piece in this flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure a light, even coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook them for about 10 minutes total, flipping once until both sides are nicely browned and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Allow the butter to melt and gently sauté the garlic until fragrant. Stir in the lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate their flavor. Let the sauce simmer briefly until it thickens slightly.
- Finish the Dish: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and warm through in the sauce for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and top with freshly sliced basil leaves and extra lemon slices for garnish before serving.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make thinner pieces.
- Shaking off excess flour before frying helps to achieve a light, crispy coating without clumping.
- Use fresh basil leaves for topping to maintain their bright flavor and aroma.
- Extra lemon slices add a fresh citrusy garnish and can be squeezed over the dish for added zest.
- This recipe can be paired with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a balanced meal.
