15 Minute Lemon Chicken Recipe

This simple and easy-to-make one-pan skillet lemon butter chicken recipe is a delicious weeknight dish that comes together in less than 15 minutes. 

I’ve got a super quick and tasty dinner idea for you – my 15-minute Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken. I have just one word for this dish and it’s DELICIOUS.

I’ve made my share of chicken dishes and this is by far the easiest, tastiest lemon chicken ever. The golden brown chicken gets caramelized in this lemon butter sauce to make a main dish that is so scrumptious.

The best part of all is to make this chicken you’ll only need 4 ingredients (chicken, flour, butter, and lemon excluding spices) and about 15-20 minutes to make this lemon butter chicken recipe.

Simply combine the chicken breasts, flour and seasoning in a Ziplock bag, then cook the chicken in butter. The butter browns as it cooks and caramelizes the chicken and lemons in the yummiest way possible! 

Why you’ll love this Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

• Quick & Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes – perfect for busy nights!
• Few Ingredients: Only need 4 main things – chicken, flour, butter, and lemon (spices are extra).
• Deliciously Simple: Golden-brown chicken with a tasty lemony kick.
• No-Fuss Cooking: Just toss chicken in a Ziplock bag, cook in butter – easy peasy.

Ingredients in Pan Fried Lemon Chicken

• Chicken: The star of the show, gets golden and delicious in the buttery skillet.
• Flour: Coats the chicken, giving it that perfect crispy exterior when cooked.
• Butter: Works its magic, caramelizing the chicken and lemons, making everything rich and flavorful.
• Lemon: Adds a zesty kick and a burst of freshness to balance the buttery goodness.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor, making every bite just right.
• Black Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and complements the other spices.
• Garlic Powder: Brings that subtle garlic flavor without the fuss of chopping garlic.
• Thyme (optional): If you’re feeling fancy, it adds a fragrant touch to the dish.

How to make Lemon Butter Chicken

Start by tenderizing the chicken breasts until they’re about a quarter-inch thick. In a bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Give the chicken a good coating by tossing it in the bag and shaking it well.

Melt a generous amount of butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Place the floured chicken breasts in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until they achieve a golden-brown perfection.

Remove the chicken while you add the lemon slices. Let them cook in the butter for about a minute, flipping them once. Add the chicken back to the pan, topping it off with those buttery lemon slices.

Serve your lemon butter chicken over rice, with some veggies, or a straightforward salad. If you want to fancy it up, sprinkle on some optional thyme. There you have it – a speedy, delicious 15-minute skillet lemon butter chicken ready to impress.

Expert Tips

• Use a meat tenderizer to flatten the chicken. This ensures even cooking and a more tender result. Place the chicken between plastic wrap to avoid mess.
• When coating the chicken in the flour mixture, make sure to shake off excess flour. This prevents a thick, clumpy coating and ensures a crispy texture.
• Use thin lemon slices. Thinner slices cook quickly and infuse the dish with a citrusy kick without overpowering.

Storage Tips

To store any leftover skillet lemon butter chicken, let it cool and then put it in a sealed container in the fridge. Take out the lemon slices if there are any. It’s good in the fridge for about 3-4 days.

If you want to keep it longer, freeze it in a container or a sealed bag after pushing out extra air. Write the date on it if you want to be organized.

When you’re ready to eat it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Heat it up on the stove or in the microwave until it’s hot all the way through.

Substitutions and Variations

• Citrus Twist: Swap out the lemon for other citrus fruits like lime or orange to give your chicken a different twist.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Adjust according to your heat preference.
• Creamy Upgrade: Create a creamy version by stirring in a bit of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end. It adds a luscious, velvety texture.
• Mediterranean Vibes: Add olives, cherry tomatoes, and capers for a Mediterranean twist. It brings in new flavors and textures.

Recipe FAQs

More one-pan dishes to try

• One Pan Mediterranean Chicken
• 15 Minute One Pan Shrimp and Rice
• One Pan Chicken and Rice with Sun-Dried Tomato, Parmesan, and Basil
• Easy One Pan Baked Salmon with Veggies
• One Pan Fajita Chicken

SaveSaved Pin Print

4.82 from 16 votes

15 Minute Lemon Chicken Recipe

By: Layla

This 4 ingredient skillet lemon butter chicken recipe is simple and easy to make in one pan. The delicious weeknight dish comes together in less than 15 minutes!

Prep5 minutes mins

Cook10 minutes mins

Total15 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 large chicken breasts, halved (or 4 small chicken breasts)
• ▢ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1/4 cup butter
• ▢ 1 lemon, sliced
• ▢ thyme, optional

Instructions 

• Flatten chicken breasts out using a meat tenderizer to about 1/4 inch thick. Place flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large ziplock bag. Shake to mix. Add chicken breasts and shake once more to coat chicken.
  
  
• Melt butter in a large heavy-duty pan on medium-high heat. Add floured chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until lightly browned. The butter will begin to foam then settle down. [br
  
• Remove chicken from the pan and add the lemon slices and thyme to pan. Cook lemon slices for 1 about 1 minute per side. Return chicken to pan and top with the cooked lemons.
• 
  
  Serve with a rice, veggies, or salad.

Equipment

Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

Notes

• Use a meat tenderizer to flatten the chicken. This ensures even cooking and a more tender result. Place the chicken between plastic wrap to avoid mess.
• When coating the chicken in the flour mixture, make sure to shake off excess flour. This prevents a thick, clumpy coating and ensures a crispy texture.
• Use thin lemon slices. Thinner slices cook quickly and infuse the dish with a citrusy kick without overpowering.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 140kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 31mg, Sodium: 383mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 362IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Keyword: chicken breasts, lemon, lemon butter chicken recipe

like this recipe? Rate & Comment below!