How to Make Delicious Lemon Chicken at Home

Lemon chicken is a simple and delicious dish that can be prepared quickly and easily. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. It is a great way to add some flavor and variety to your meals, without spending too much time in the kitchen. In this article, I will show you how to make lemon chicken in relaxed English language, so you can follow along with ease and enjoy a tasty meal.

To start, you will need a few basic ingredients, including chicken breasts, lemons, garlic, butter, and olive oil. You will also need a skillet and an oven-safe dish to cook the chicken. The key to making this dish is to balance the flavors and textures, so that the chicken is juicy and tender, with a crisp and tangy coating. Follow the steps below to learn how to make lemon chicken step by step.

Lemon chicken is a popular dish that is beloved by many. It is a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors that come together to create a delicious and satisfying meal. If you’re looking to make lemon chicken at home, you’re in luck, because it’s a straightforward recipe that’s simple to follow. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to make lemon chicken, from preparing the chicken to serving it up on your plate.

Ingredients

Before we get started, let’s gather the necessary ingredients:

– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
– Salt and pepper
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 1/4 cup chicken broth
– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

The first step is to prepare the chicken. Start by pounding your chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly. Season both sides with salt and pepper, and then coat each breast in flour.

Step 2: Cooking the Chicken

Next, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate.

Step 3: Making the Lemon Sauce

Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Next, add the chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard to the skillet. Whisk everything together until it is well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it is slightly thickened.

Step 4: Finishing the Dish

Add the parsley to the skillet and stir it in. Once the sauce is ready, pour it over the cooked chicken breasts. Garnish with additional chopped parsley or lemon slices, if desired. Lemon chicken is best served hot and goes great with a side of roasted vegetables or rice.

Tips and Variations:

– For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
– Swap out the parsley for cilantro or basil for a different flavor profile.
– If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, you can replace it with vegetable broth or water.
– To make the dish more filling, add sliced mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers to the skillet while cooking the chicken.
– For a healthier option, you can bake the chicken breasts in the oven instead of pan-frying them. Simply coat the chicken in flour, season it, place it on a baking sheet, and bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes or until cooked through.

Conclusion:

Making lemon chicken is easier than you might have thought, and it’s a dish that will impress and satisfy your taste buds. With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can enjoy this delicious and flavorful meal at home. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, lemon chicken is sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

1. Chicken breasts – You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
2. Lemons – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key to adding tanginess and brightness to the dish.
3. Garlic – Fresh garlic gives the chicken a pungent, savory flavor.
4. Olive oil – For cooking the chicken and adding a bit of richness to the dish.
5. Salt and pepper – You’ll need these staples to season the chicken.
6. Chicken broth – This will be used to create the sauce for the lemon chicken.
7. Cornstarch – This helps thicken the sauce and give it a nice consistency.
8. Parsley – Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.

Preparing the Chicken

1. Begin by cutting the chicken breasts into small, bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet or wok, heat up some olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
4. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Making the Lemon Sauce

1. To the same skillet, add some minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
2. Add in the chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. In a small bowl, mix together some cornstarch and water until it forms a slurry. Gradually stir this into the sauce and continue to cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and toss to coat it in the lemon sauce.
5. Garnish the dish with some chopped parsley and serve hot.

Tips and Tricks

1. For a healthier version of this dish, try using olive oil cooking spray instead of regular olive oil.
2. If you prefer a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce when cooking the garlic.
3. For an extra boost of flavor, marinate the chicken in the lemon juice and some minced garlic for a few hours before cooking.
4. Make sure to use fresh lemon juice for the best results. Bottled lemon juice won’t have the same flavor.
5. If the sauce is too thick, simply add a bit more chicken broth to thin it out.

Final Thoughts

Lemon chicken is a simple, yet flavorful dish that can be made in just a few easy steps. With the right ingredients and a bit of know-how, you can whip up this dish in no time. Give it a try and see how easy and delicious it can be!

Ingredients for Lemon Chicken recipe

Here are a few ingredients you’ll need to get started:

Preparation steps for Lemon Chicken Recipe

Now that we’ve got our ingredients, let’s get started with the preparation:

Step 1: Marinate the chicken

Clean the chicken breasts and pat them dry using a paper towel. In a bowl, mix together the juice of one lemon, garlic cloves (minced), salt, pepper, and paprika. Rub this mixture all over the chicken breasts and marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the chicken

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add marinated chicken breasts. Make sure to sear the chicken on both sides until it turns golden brown. Once fully seared, remove from pan and keep it aside.

Step 3: Prepare the sauce

In the same pan, add chopped onion and thyme, sauté until onion turns translucent. Add 1/4 cup of water, the juice of one lemon, and butter to the pan. Mix well to combine the ingredients and let the butter melt.

Step 4: Combine

Add the seared chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the sauce over the chicken. Let it cook for another 5-6 minutes over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through.

Step 5: Add parsley and serve

Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with rice, roast vegetables or a side of salad. Lemon chicken is now ready to Tickle your taste buds!

Conclusion

Lemon Chicken recipe is a true classic and a perfect recipe for anyone for a simple and easy weekend cooking, or a sumptuous dinner party for friends or family. The flavor of the lemon with a tangy punch and the fragrant thyme herb bring a vibrant note to this dish. Once you get the hang of it, you can easily impress your guests with your culinary skills. Try this lemon chicken recipe, and you won’t regret it!

Enjoy Your Tangy Lemon Chicken!

That’s it! Now you know how to make a delicious and tangy dish that will impress your family and friends. Remember to always use fresh ingredients and don’t be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices to make it your own. Thanks for reading and I hope you visit again for more mouth-watering recipes that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Happy cooking!