When you need a delicious dinner without a pile of dishes waiting in the sink, this One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken is exactly the kind of recipe to make. Tender chicken breasts are seasoned and seared until golden, then finished with fresh lemon, garlic, chicken broth, and herbs for a bright and flavorful sauce.
Everything comes together in one skillet, making this an easy weeknight dinner that’s simple enough for busy evenings but delicious enough to serve to guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Everything cooks in one pan
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Uses simple everyday ingredients
- Fresh lemon adds bright flavor
- Tender, juicy chicken with a savory garlic sauce
- Easy to pair with vegetables, rice, or pasta
- Great for busy weeknight dinners
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
How to Make One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
Season both sides with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
If the chicken breasts are thick, gently pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook more evenly.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken in the skillet.
Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Transfer the chicken to a plate. It doesn’t need to remain in the skillet while you prepare the sauce.
3. Sauté the Garlic
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
Don’t let the garlic become dark brown. It should be fragrant and lightly cooked.
4. Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce
Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and use a wooden spoon to scrape the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
Add the juice of half the lemon and the dried oregano.
Let the mixture simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors can come together.
5. Finish the Chicken
Return the chicken to the skillet.
Add the butter and spoon the lemon garlic sauce over the chicken.
Let everything simmer gently for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Slice the remaining lemon into wedges and serve them alongside the chicken.
Finish with freshly chopped parsley.
What to Serve With Lemon Garlic Chicken
This chicken works with almost any simple side dish.
Try it with:
- Steamed white rice
- Brown rice
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Roasted potatoes
- Buttered pasta
- Roasted broccoli
- Green beans
- Asparagus
- Simple mixed salad
For a lighter dinner, serve the chicken with roasted vegetables and a fresh green salad.
For a heartier meal, spoon the lemon garlic sauce over rice or mashed potatoes.
Tips for the Best Lemon Garlic Chicken
Use fresh lemon. Fresh lemon juice gives the sauce a much brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice.
Don’t skip the searing step. Browning the chicken creates flavorful bits in the skillet that become part of the sauce.
Don’t burn the garlic. Garlic can turn bitter quickly, so keep the heat moderate once you add it.
Use a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F in the thickest part.
Let the chicken rest briefly. A few minutes of resting helps the chicken retain its juices.
Easy Variations
Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Adjust the cooking time based on their size.
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken
Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream after the chicken broth has simmered. Stir gently to create a creamy lemon garlic sauce.
Lemon Garlic Chicken With Spinach
Add a few handfuls of fresh baby spinach during the final few minutes of cooking.
Spicy Lemon Garlic Chicken
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce for a little heat.
Vegetable Lemon Garlic Chicken
Add sliced zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus to the skillet for a complete one-pan meal.
Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breasts?
Absolutely. Chicken thighs are a great option if you prefer darker meat.
Boneless, skinless thighs usually stay juicy and pair beautifully with the lemon garlic sauce. Since the size of chicken thighs varies, check the internal temperature rather than relying only on cooking time.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead?
Yes. You can cook the chicken ahead of time and store it with the sauce in an airtight container.
Keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days.
When you’re ready to serve, reheat the chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
For the best texture, reheat gently rather than using very high heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is recommended because it has a brighter, fresher flavor. However, bottled lemon juice can be used when fresh lemons aren’t available.
Can I make this with chicken tenders?
Yes. Chicken tenders cook more quickly, so reduce the cooking time and check the internal temperature carefully.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The ingredients used in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but always check the labels on packaged ingredients such as chicken broth to make sure they meet your dietary requirements.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes. Simply replace the butter with additional olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative.
How can I make the sauce thicker?
Let the sauce simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. For a thicker sauce, you can also use a small cornstarch slurry.
Recipe Card
One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: American
Course: Dinner
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large lemon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté the minced garlic in the same skillet for about 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and oregano. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the skillet.
- Add butter and spoon the lemon garlic sauce over the chicken.
- Simmer gently for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges before serving.
Final Thoughts
Simple dinners are some of my favorites, and this One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken is a perfect example.
The chicken gets beautifully golden in the skillet, while the lemon and garlic create a fresh, savory sauce that makes every bite flavorful. Best of all, there’s only one pan to clean afterward.
Serve it with your favorite vegetables, rice, or potatoes and you’ve got an easy homemade dinner the whole family can enjoy.
From my kitchen to yours, enjoy! ❤️
— Mary