Planning a birthday dinner at home and want something that feels a little special but doesn’t leave you stressed in the kitchen? This One Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken is exactly that. It’s elegant, packed with bright flavor, and made in just one pan—which means more time for celebrating and less time doing dishes.

This dish gives you that restaurant-style sear on juicy chicken, a buttery lemon garlic sauce that feels indulgent but still light, and ingredients that are easy to find. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or just keeping it cozy with close friends, this is the kind of recipe that hits the sweet spot between simple and celebratory.

Picture this

The kitchen smells like garlic and citrus. Butter is bubbling on the stove. You’ve got chicken sizzling to a perfect golden brown in your favorite skillet, and the whole thing looks like it came from your favorite little bistro—but you’re still in yoga pants and haven’t done a single complicated step. This is Lemon Chicken One Pan magic at its finest.

Why this works

This recipe checks every box. It’s quick. It’s packed with clean, simple ingredients. And it’s a dream for anyone who loves that lemon-garlic duo. It’s also versatile—great with chicken breasts or tenderloins, perfect on the stovetop or even in your air fryer if you want to skip the skillet. This is one of those Lemon Chicken Recipes Easy enough to pull off even when your brain is done for the day.

You need this

Here’s everything you’ll need for this Lemons Chicken Recipe made for 8 servings:

• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half horizontally to make 8 thin cutlets or use 8 chicken tenderloins)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1¼ cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
• Lemon slices, for serving (optional)

How to make it

1. Start by cutting each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create 8 evenly sized cutlets. If you’re using chicken tenderloins, no need to slice.
2. Season each piece of chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then lightly dredge them in flour to get that golden crust.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once hot, sear the chicken in batches until golden on both sides, about 4–5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add 2 more tablespoons of butter to the pan. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Stir and let the sauce bubble and reduce slightly, about 2–3 minutes.
6. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the top and simmer for another 3–4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Finish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon slices if desired. Serve warm with sides of your choice.

Pro tips

Cutting the chicken breasts into thin cutlets ensures they cook quickly and evenly. You’ll also get more golden surface area, which means more flavor.

Use a Microplane zester for the lemons—it makes a huge difference in how evenly the zest spreads through the sauce.

If you’re aiming for super clean eating, you can skip the flour and just sear the chicken as-is. It won’t be as crispy but it will still be packed with flavor.

Want to adapt this to a Lemon Chicken Airfryer version? Skip the dredging, coat the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, then air fry at 375°F for 12–14 minutes. Finish with a drizzle of the lemon butter sauce.

What to serve it with

This Lemon Garlic Chicken Tenderloins recipe plays well with just about anything. Try it with rice, roasted potatoes, quinoa, or pasta. Pair it with a crisp green salad or sautéed greens for a light and clean combo. If you’re going comfort-food mode, mashed potatoes or garlic noodles are perfect.

Leftovers and storage

This dish keeps really well, so it’s great for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or in the microwave. It can also be frozen, though the texture of the sauce may change slightly—still delicious though.

A fresh take on lemon chicken

This isn’t your average lemon chicken. With fresh garlic, real lemon juice and zest, and just the right amount of butter to keep things balanced, this dish proves that healthy doesn’t mean bland. It’s a standout in the world of Clean Chicken Recipes Healthy enough for everyday, but flavorful enough to crave.

If you’re looking for a reliable go-to recipe that checks all the boxes—easy, fast, fresh, and family-friendly—this One Skillet Lemon Chicken belongs in your recipe folder.