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Home > Lunch/Dinner > Easy Skillet Lemon Chicken
26 minutes

Easy Skillet Lemon Chicken

Last updated November 9, 2018. Originally posted November 9, 2018 By Jyothi Rajesh 16 Comments

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Skillet lemon chicken breasts with herbs is a savory dish which the most simplest and delicious chicken marinade giving you the best ever and easiest lemon chicken breasts that is perfect for any weeknights! This dish is fantastic under the budget meals that everyone would love. Who’s in for easy weeknight dinner?

lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with parsley garnish

We love this easy one pan/one skillet recipes like these. The marinade may sound too simple but trust me you get an ultra flavorful dish. We are talking about chicken bursting with flavors of freshness from lemon juice, herbs and a well-balanced seasoning of salt and pepper. Chicken breasts are the most economical cuts and like most of you I prefer chicken breasts too as it do fit in my daily budget of feeding a family of 4.
This lemon chicken has definitely become my favorite go-to recipe when I’m pressed on time to cook up a meal for my family. I simply marinate chicken breasts, cook it on skillet for 7 minutes each side, garnish and serve it with rice. Yes it’s damn simple recipe, but tastes fabulous. Let’s not forget, it’s filling and nutritious as well. So there you go, ticks many boxes on your menu planning list.

 

Let’s recap,

Why should you add this lemon chicken recipe to your menu planning list?

Under the budget – keeping your grocery bill in check

Quick marinade – using basic ingredients

On the dinner table in 15 minutes – pre plan and marinate it ahead

Nutritious, filling and fabulous!

Tastes outrageously delicious!

 

Chicken Breast or Thigh!

While chicken breasts are cheaper and faster to cook, some people do not prefer chicken breasts for one simple reason – breasts are hard to cook as it turns dry easily.

You can get juicy moist chicken using chicken breasts with a few tips that I will be sharing below in the post.

But if you absolutely do not want to use chicken breasts, let me answer your question. YES you can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs.

Chicken thighs with skin on and bone intact can be used. And chicken things with skinless and boneless works well too. Chicken drumsticks can be used as well. Interesting isn’t it!

Just remember chicken thighs with skin on and bone in will take a little longer time to cook than chicken breast. If you are replacing chicken breasts with thighs and follow my lemon chicken recipe just remember to cook chicken thighs with skin side first. Cooking skin side first will ensure the skin turns crispy. I personally love crispy skin lemon chicken thighs with garlic hummus. Messy to eat, but sooooo GOOD!

lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with parsley garnish

How to keep chicken breast juicy and moist?

Tip #1 – marinate chicken in it’s simple lemon juice, herbs marinade for at least 30 minutes. Marinating chicken overnight in fridge if you have time is even better. Lemon sauce for chicken is full of flavors and chicken breasts dunked in this lemon sauce imparts so much flavors.

Of course, there is a lot of lemon going on in here. But it’s so fresh, flavor packed and light marinade that works perfect for lemon chicken recipe.

Tip #2 – The key to super moist juicy chicken breasts is cooking it to the right temperature. Do not over cook chicken. Cook until internal temperature of chicken breasts reaches 165 F. Don’t go beyond that!

Make sure skillet is hot before you throw in chicken. Flip it once after 6 to 7 minutes. Wait for other side to cook and then remove. This skillet lemon chicken needs just one flip. When you flip you want to see that gorgeous sear on the chicken.

lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with parsley garnish

How to Make Easy Skillet Lemon Chicken:

Start off with thin sliced chicken breast. To make thin sliced chicken, simple cut chicken breast into butterfly.  Use sharp knife to get neat, even sized butterfly cuts.

In a medium bowl whisk together lemon juice, Italian herbs or a mix of Oregano, thyme, basil and rosemary, salt and pepper.

lemon sauce marinade for lemon chicken recipe

lemon sauce marinade for lemon chicken recipe

Place thin sliced chicken breasts into the bowl and ensure all chicken breast is evenly coated in the lemon sauce marinade. You can either pour the marinade into zip lock bags and then throw in the chicken into it, mix well and store it in fridge for minimum 30 minutes upto 8 hours (over night).

chicken breast marinating in lemon sauce for lemon chicken

chicken breast marinating in lemon sauce for lemon chicken

Heat olive oil (or butter) in cast iron skillet. Remove marinated chicken breast and place it on hot skillet. Let it cook on one side for about 6 to 7 minutes.

Marinated lemon chicken on cast iron pan

Then flip it over and cook on other side. Check with thermometer for internal temperature. Once it hits 165 degree F remove pan from heat.

Marinated lemon chicken on cast iron pan

Marinated lemon chicken on cast iron pan

Marinated lemon chicken on cast iron pan

Serve chicken breast with few lemon slices or grilled lemons.

If you do not want to waste the marinade you, simple heat some butter in sauce pan along with a little flour, pour the marinade and whisk until it begins to thicken. Remove immediately from heat and pour it over lemon herb chicken breast.

How to Serve Lemon Chicken – Serving Ideas

Simple recipes like these needs simple serving ideas-

I’d love to serve lemon chicken with some herb brown rice or rice pilaf.

For low carb options, serve lemon chicken with roasted garlic asparagus!

For terrific healthy meal slice lemon chicken into finger strips and toss it in salad loaded with veggies (simple salad ingredients would be Romania lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocados, charred sweet corn and lemon chicken).

Serve it as main dish with sauteed garlic lemon Parmesan sauteed beans on the side.

Or

Alongside Melting potatoes

Or

Greek potatoes

Or

Instant Pot Potatoes.

For starter options, serve lemon chicken with a bowl of hummus, it’s a great conversation starter.

lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with parsley garnish

More Lemon infused recipes for you to try-

Quick Lemon Rice

Lemon Curd Tart

Mango Lemonade

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Here’s a video showing just how easy this LEMON CHICKEN RECIPE is. Click play to check it out or scroll on down for the recipe and get some going yourself!

lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with parsley garnish
5 from 6 votes

Easy Skillet Lemon Chicken

Jyothi Rajesh
Skillet lemon chicken breasts with herbs is a savory dish which the most simplest and delicious chicken marinade giving you the best ever and easiest lemon chicken breasts that is perfect for any weeknights! This dish is fantastic under the budget meals that everyone would love. Who’s in for easy weeknight dinner?
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Prep Time 8 mins
Cook Time 18 mins
Total Time 26 mins
Course Main Course
Servings 4 people
Calories 231

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breast cut into thin slices of 4
  • ½ cup lemon juice 2 big lemons
  • 1 tablespoon mixed herb seasoning mix of oregano, thyme, basil and rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil or butter if you like

To Garnish-

  • Lemon slices or grilled lemon halves
  • Fresh Parsley

Instructions
 

  • Start off with thin sliced chicken breast. To make thin sliced chicken, simple cut chicken breast into butterfly.  Use sharp knife to get neat, even sized butterfly cuts.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together lemon juice, Italian herbs or a mix of Oregano, thyme, basil and rosemary, salt and pepper.
  • Place thin sliced chicken breasts into the bowl and ensure all chicken breast is evenly coated in the lemon sauce marinade. You can either pour the marinade into zip lock bags and then throw in the chicken into it, mix well and store it in fridge for minimum 30 minutes upto 8 hours (over night).
  • Heat olive oil (or butter) in cast iron skillet. Remove marinated chicken breast and place it on hot skillet. Let it cook on one side for about 6 to 7 minutes.
  • Then flip it over and cook on other side. Check with thermometer for internal temperature. Once it hits 165 degree F remove pan from heat.
  • Serve chicken breast with few lemon slices or grilled lemons.

Notes

If you do not want to waste the marinade you, simple heat some butter in sauce pan along with a little flour, pour the marinade and whisk until it begins to thicken. Remove immediately from heat and pour it over lemon herb chicken breast.

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 24gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 465mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 55IUVitamin C: 13.1mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 0.9mg
Did you make this recipe?Follow @CurryTrail and tag #CurryTrail to share your creation!

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lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with text overlay

lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with text overlay
lemon chicken in cast iron skillet with text overlay
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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Robin says

    February 25, 2020 at 1:49 am

    Hi. I’m a 64 year old Grand mom who’s always looking for great recipes. I just found your blog site 2 weeks ago. I’ve made 6 recipes to date. All fabulous, including this one. Grazie. Many blessings from a Sicilian Grandmom. Bravo.

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      February 25, 2020 at 4:45 pm

      Robin, you absolutely made my day! I’m so happy to hear you tried and liked my recipes. I’m so glad to have you here, and i’m sure your grand child would love all the delicious food you cook! Hope you get to try other recipes from my space.

      Reply
  2. Mahy Elamin says

    December 05, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    Beautiful presentation! Love how simple yet flavorful this meal is. Always looking for yummy new chicken recipes! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
    • jyothirajesh says

      December 06, 2018 at 6:26 pm

      Thank you Mahy

      Reply
  3. Natalie says

    December 05, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    5 stars
    I’m such a huge fan of easy super tasty meals like this one. This is one of the recipe that I know my family will just love. I’m saving this for this week. I just got new skillet pan I need to try. 🙂

    Reply
    • jyothirajesh says

      December 06, 2018 at 6:26 pm

      Thank you Natalie

      Reply
  4. Veena Azmanov says

    December 05, 2018 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    I love a good lemon chicken recipe. Love all the seasoning and the addition butter. Pure luxury food. Perfect for a weekday meal. Saving this for later.

    Reply
  5. Cheese Curd In Paradise says

    December 05, 2018 at 10:19 am

    5 stars
    With two little boys recipes like this one are my jam. I love simple ingredients, simple, prep, and a quick cook. Great recipe- thank you!

    Reply
    • jyothirajesh says

      December 05, 2018 at 11:46 am

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  6. Byron Thomas says

    December 05, 2018 at 1:14 am

    5 stars
    I love a good lemon chicken recipe. I thought this one was going to be like the rest, but you added all of those seasonings and the butter too. Perfection!

    Reply
    • jyothirajesh says

      December 05, 2018 at 11:47 am

      Thank you Bryon

      Reply
  7. April says

    December 04, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    5 stars
    This post makes me want to defrost my chicken breast and make this asap! I’m all about easy chicken dinners and this is one chicken recipe I need to try. I love the simplicity of it. . I’m sure the marinade tastes great!

    Reply
    • jyothirajesh says

      December 04, 2018 at 9:04 pm

      It tastes really amazing. Thank you April

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 170+ Family and Budget Friendly Chicken Recipes - Becoming Schultz says:
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  2. Lebanese-Style Baked Chicken and Potatoes - CurryTrail says:
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Jyothi - Author of Curry Trail.

Welcome, I'm Jyothi

My food philosophy is simple, fresh and full of flavors! I love ‘spicy’ food. In fact so much so that I can skip dessert for extra spicy savory food!

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