Description
This One-Pan Lemon Basil Chicken recipe offers a delightful balance of tangy lemon, fresh basil, and aromatic herbs. Perfectly seared chicken breasts are cooked in a flavorful butter garlic sauce enhanced with lemon juice and fresh basil, creating a simple yet elegant dish that’s quick to prepare and ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Units
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For the Chicken:
- 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
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 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, mix together the flour, lemon zest, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Coat the chicken breast halves evenly with this flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure an even, light coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook them, flipping once, until they are nicely browned on both sides and cooked through, which should take about 10 minutes total. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the butter and minced garlic. Allow the butter to melt and the garlic to become fragrant without burning. Then stir in the lemon juice and chicken broth, using a spoon to scrape off any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce simmer briefly until it thickens slightly to intensify the flavor.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the pieces. Warm the chicken in the sauce for about 1 minute to combine the flavors. Finally, sprinkle the thinly sliced fresh basil leaves on top and garnish with extra lemon slices before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, consider brining the chicken breasts in saltwater for 15 minutes before cooking.
- If fresh basil is unavailable, dried basil can be used, but add it earlier in the cooking process to allow flavors to develop.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or over pasta or rice to make a complete meal.
- To reduce calories, substitute butter with olive oil in the sauce.
- The lemon zest is key for imparting a bright citrus note; be sure to avoid the bitter white pith while zesting.
