Lemon Pepper Chicken hits the spot when dinner needs to happen fast, but you still want something fresh and satisfying. As the chicken sizzles, the peppery coating turns golden while garlic, butter, and lemon fill the kitchen with a bright, savory smell. Better yet, the whole meal takes just 15 minutes.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Pepper Chicken
This Lemon Pepper Chicken gives you juicy chicken, a lightly crisp crust, and a tangy lemon garlic butter sauce in one pan. Also, you only need 5 minutes of prep and about 10 minutes of cooking.
The recipe serves four, so it works well for a quick family dinner. In fact, the simple sauce tastes rich without covering up the fresh lemon and pepper flavors.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Ingredients
You need everyday ingredients for this recipe. Meanwhile, fresh lemon juice and zest give the sauce its clean, citrusy finish.
Chicken and Seasoning Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, about 1 1/2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder or preferred flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Chopped fresh parsley, optional
- Lemon slices, optional
Ingredient Substitutions and Gluten-Free Options
For gluten-free Lemon Pepper Chicken, use arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or cornstarch. However, regular all purpose flour works well when gluten does not concern you.
Also, check your packaged lemon pepper seasoning for extra fillers. If you use smaller chicken breasts, flatten them to an even thickness. Chicken cutlets work too, although they may cook faster.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken
This recipe moves quickly, so prepare everything before you heat the pan. Then you can move from the chicken to the sauce without stopping.
Prepare and Season the Chicken
First, slice each chicken breast horizontally to create four thinner pieces. Next, combine the arrowroot or flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and kosher salt.
Then coat both sides of each piece. Press the seasoning mixture gently onto the chicken so it sticks well.
Pan-Sear the Chicken Until Golden
Next, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook it for about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Meanwhile, look for a golden, lightly crisp surface. Once the chicken reaches the proper temperature, transfer it to a plate.
Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Then melt the butter in the same pan. Add the minced garlic and cook it for about 30 seconds, just until it smells fragrant.
Next, stir in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Simmer the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes so it reduces slightly and gathers up the savory flavor from the pan.
Finish the Chicken in the Sauce
Return the Lemon Pepper Chicken to the pan. Then spoon that warm lemon garlic butter sauce over every piece.
Finally, scatter lemon zest over the chicken. Also, add parsley and fresh lemon slices if you want a colorful finish.
Tips for the Best Lemon Pepper Chicken
First, cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces. As a result, each piece cooks at roughly the same rate.
Also, keep an eye on the heat. You want enough heat for a golden crust, but you do not want the coating or garlic to burn.
For even more flavor, add a small splash of white wine to the sauce. Then add another garlic clove if you enjoy a stronger garlic bite.
How to Tell When the Chicken Is Done
Cook the chicken until the center reaches 160 to 165°F, or 71 to 74°C. Use a meat thermometer in the thickest section for the clearest reading.
Also, remember that thin cutlets cook quickly. Therefore, start checking them early so the chicken stays tender and juicy.
How to Make More or Thicker Lemon Pepper Sauce
For more sauce, add extra chicken broth. Then increase the lemon juice or butter slightly if you want to keep the flavors balanced.
For a thicker sauce, mix in a small amount of additional flour or your gluten-free thickener. However, add it gradually so the sauce stays smooth rather than turning heavy.
Easy Flavor Variations
For a deeper sauce, add a splash of dry white wine after cooking the garlic. Then let it simmer briefly before you add the broth and lemon juice.
Also, you can increase the garlic or lemon zest for a stronger finish. For extra pepper flavor, add a small pinch of freshly cracked black pepper before serving.
What to Serve With Lemon Pepper Chicken
Lemon Pepper Chicken works beautifully with mashed potatoes because they catch every spoonful of buttery sauce. Roasted potatoes also make a hearty option.
Meanwhile, zucchini noodles keep dinner lighter. Asparagus and green beans also pair nicely with the fresh lemon flavor.
Per serving, this recipe has about 259 calories, 25 grams protein, 16 grams fat, and 4 grams carbohydrates. It also contains 428 mg sodium and 471 mg potassium.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Leftovers
First, place leftover Lemon Pepper Chicken and its sauce in an airtight container. Then refrigerate it for 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Next, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
Then reheat the chicken in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot. Also, spoon the leftover sauce over the top before reheating to help keep the meat moist.
More Such Recipes
- creamy Lemon Parm Chicken brings another bright lemon flavor to an easy chicken dinner.
- easy Lemon Chicken Pasta turns chicken and citrus into a filling pasta night.
- creamy crockpot mashed potatoes make a cozy side for the buttery pan sauce.
- healthy chicken pot pie soup works well when you want something warm and spoonable.
- comforting chicken soup with potatoes offers another simple way to bring chicken to the dinner table.
- Browse more easy chicken recipes when you need fresh ideas for weeknight meals.
Also, you can save more dinner inspiration from Kai Recipes on Pinterest or follow Kai Recipe on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in lemon pepper chicken?
Lemon Pepper Chicken uses chicken breasts, lemon pepper seasoning, salt, flour or arrowroot, and olive oil. Additionally, this version adds butter, garlic, fresh lemon juice, chicken broth, and lemon zest for a quick pan sauce.
How do you bake lemon pepper chicken tenders?
Season chicken tenders with lemon pepper seasoning, salt, and a light flour coating. Then arrange them on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until the center reaches 165°F.
Because tender sizes vary, check their internal temperature rather than relying only on cooking time.
What does lemon pepper chicken go well with?
Lemon Pepper Chicken goes well with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, zucchini noodles, asparagus, and green beans. Also, rice or a simple salad can round out the meal.
Is lemon pepper chicken hot?
Usually, Lemon Pepper Chicken tastes peppery rather than spicy-hot. However, seasoning blends vary, so check the label if you prefer very mild food.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Pepper Chicken proves that a short ingredient list can still bring plenty of flavor to dinner. The golden chicken stays juicy, while the lemon garlic butter sauce brings tang, richness, and fresh citrus to every bite.
Best of all, one pan and 15 minutes keep cleanup manageable. So, when a busy evening calls for a quick chicken dinner, this recipe gives you a practical answer.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe : Quick, Amazing 15-Minute Dinner
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free Option
Description
This 15-minute Lemon Pepper Chicken features juicy, golden chicken breasts coated with lemon pepper seasoning and finished in a bright lemon garlic butter sauce. It is an easy one-pan dinner with fresh citrus flavor and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, about 1 1/2 lb
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder or preferred flour
1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, about 1 lemon
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Optional: chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
1. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to make four thinner pieces.
2. Combine the arrowroot powder or flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and kosher salt in a shallow bowl.
3. Coat both sides of each chicken piece evenly, pressing the seasoning mixture onto the surface.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
5. Add the chicken and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 160 to 165°F.
6. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
7. Melt the butter in the same pan.
8. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
9. Stir in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice.
10. Simmer the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes so it reduces slightly.
11. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over each piece.
12. Finish with lemon zest and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or cornstarch. Regular all-purpose flour also works when gluten is not a concern.
Check packaged lemon pepper seasoning for unnecessary fillers.
Smaller chicken breasts work well. Flatten them to an even thickness if needed.
Chicken cutlets also work, although they may cook more quickly.
For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine and additional garlic to the sauce.
For more sauce, increase the chicken broth. For a thicker sauce, add a small amount of extra flour or preferred thickener.
Store leftovers with the remaining sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
Serve with zucchini noodles, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, asparagus, or green beans.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Chicken Recipes
- Method: Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 259
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 428 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg