Chicken breast recipes can be so dull – time to step it up! Cream and lemon are a luscious combination and is sensational served over golden crispy chicken. A quick and easy 10 minute recipe with few ingredients, serve this Creamy Lemon Chicken with pasta, mashed potato or for a low carb option, creamy cauliflower mash!
Chicken Breast Recipe
I was browsing my Instagram feed the other day, and all I could think was “it’s so yellow and orangey.” I shared this observation with my mother, and her immediate response was “Well, of course. You post so many cheesy bread, potatoes and meat. Everything you like is yellow and brown. Even Dozer is yellow.” (Imagine this with a Japanese accent and finished with a snort of laughter).
I had no smart comeback for that. Because it’s completely true. 😂
So one of my (many) New Years’ resolutions will be (yet again) to post more green foods on RecipeTin Eats.
But for now – more yellow food.
In fact, a whole pan of yellow food. Golden brown (yellow!) chicken breast with a yellow lemon cream parmesan sauce. Bring on the yellow! 🙌🏻
What you need for creamy lemon chicken breast
Chicken breast – or boneless skinless thigh
Chicken broth/stock – gives the sauce flavour (it’s pretty dull without it)
Cream and lemon – because we’re making a creamy lemon sauce
Parmesan – for umami AND to help thicken the sauce
Mustard – sauce thickening and extra flavour/tang
Flour – to dust chicken (gives it a crust that the sauce wants to cling to, optional)
Garlic – because garlic goes in 99% of my savoury foods
Butter – because butter makes everything better
How to make creamy lemon chicken breast
You’re 10 minutes away from having this for dinner!
Here’s how it goes down:
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, dust with flour;
Pan fry until golden then remove
Add everything else in, then simmer for 3 minutes until thickened;
Return chicken into skillet to rewarm; and
Serve over pasta, mashed potato or for a low carb option, Creamy Mashed Cauliflower.
There’s plenty of creamy lemon sauce for this chicken breast recipe. Enough to toss through pasta!
What to serve with Creamy Lemon Chicken
Serve this with a crisp garden salad with a tangy French Dressing or Balsamic dressing. Or try one of these:
Side salad suggestions
Also, some warm bread rolls to mop the plate clean wouldn’t go astray! If you’re in the mood for homemade bread, try these easy No Knead Soft Dinner Rolls or this simple Irish Soda Bread (I call it Emergency Bread!).
– Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Creamy Lemon Chicken Breast
Ingredients
Crispy Chicken
- 600g / 1.2lb chicken breasts (2 large) (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup flour (plain / all-purpose)
- 40g / 3 tbsp butter , unsalted
- 1 – 2 garlic clove, minced
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth/stock
- 3/4 cup cream , heavy/thickened (Note 2)
- 3 – 4 tbsp lemon juice (adjust to taste, start with 3 tbsp)
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese , freshly grated OR store bought finely shredded (Note 3)
To serve
- Pasta of choice (I used linguine)
- Finely chopped parsley
Instructions
Crispy Chicken
- Slice chicken breast horizontally to create two thin steaks (so you end up with 4 thin steaks in total).
- Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper, then coat with flour, shaking off excess.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken 2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy, then remove onto plate.
Sauce
- Add a touch of butter if your pan is dry – but you shouldn't need it. Add garlic, stir 10 seconds.
- Then add chicken broth, cream, lemon and Dijon mustard. Bring to simmer and scrape the bottom of the pan to dissolve brown bits into the liquid. Use a whisk if needed to dissolve mustard.
- Add parmesan then simmer rapidly for 3 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly. Add salt, pepper and adjust lemon to taste.
- Return the chicken to the pan (pour in any juices on the plate too), turn to coat.
- Place chicken on serving plates with pasta or mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Spoon over Lemon Sauce and serve! (Bread for mopping wouldn't go astray either)
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published January 2016, updated with new photos and video in November 2019.
Life of Dozer
In the big fancy house I’m currently housesitting while I’m in between houses – when he gets fed up following me up and down the stairs, he parks himself halfway!!
Hillary Rankin says
Going to make this TONIGHT! I was just thinking about what to do with the thin chicken breasts I’ve got defrosting in the fridge!
Nagi says
HI Hillary, so great to see you hear, hope you are well! N xx
Denise says
Thanks for yet another delicious recipe! Chicken is so much better with a creamy sauce!! Also, love seeing sweet Dozer in your emails!! xo
Nagi says
I feel like there’s not much a creamy sauce doesn’t make delicious! 😂
Daphne says
Dear Nagi,
Could you maybe add ml and gr to the recipe? I always love how I can easily make your recipes because of it.
Thank you!
Matty M says
So keen to give this a try, but any reason why you can’t use bone in chicken thighs? I’ve got some chicken ‘chops’s In the fridge screaming for a little lemon dip 🍋 😂 🍋
I know they might take a little longer to cook initially but is there any other issue I’m not considering? 🍋 🍋
Nagi says
100% perfect to make using thighs! I just specified breast because I show how to prep the breast meat to use in this recipe 🙂 N x
Nagi says
Oh yikes, I forgot?? Popping over right away to fix that! N xx
Sherry says
Not having your yellow foods would make me blue!
This looks divine.
Nagi says
😂 Well then, I better not ever stop! N xx
Sarah Owen says
Poor puppy!!!!🙁
you need to install an escalator for him!!!😝
Nagi says
Ba ha ha! He’s just lazy, too much beach exercise today!! N xx
Kathy says
Delicious and a full meal
Nagi says
Perfect Kathy – N x
les says
super delicious . thanks .
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Les!
Pauline says
Kiora Nagi. Found this and have been cooking it for my family. My Grandsons love it and my Son asked for it often.
Nicole says
Holy Moly!! So good! My husband (the chef) rarely compliments my cooking. He told me this was a keeper (while having seconds)! Thanks Nagi for a wonderful recipe…followed exactly as written.
Nagi says
Woah what a compliment!!! Hurray!!
Geri kennedy says
Absolutely loved this sauce and how simple it was to make! I used fresh Meyer lemons from my garden.
Ellen says
I have tried many of your recipes and loved every single one of them. I love how quick and easy (and delicious) your recipes are. Cooking dinner has become more enjoyable and my picky children love everything I cook from your website.
Nagi Maehashi says
That’s great to hear Ellen!
Mihi says
I made this tonight and of course it was delicious thanks to you Nagi. All the recipes i have tried of yours have been so delicious and easy to make. I have fallen back in love with cooking again and look forward to searching on your site for a new recipe to make for dinner then go and collect all the ingredients.
I really appreciate all the time and effort you put in to your website.
Thank you. 🙂
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Mihi! Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback! N x ❤️
brooke says
Made this for the second time with noodles and a side of asparagus … Another HUGE HIT with the entire family … Thank you, NAGI!
Nagi says
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this Brooke! Thanks for letting me know! N x
Reut says
Hi Nagi
Do you think it will work if I chcange the cream with coconut cream?
Thanks!
Reut says
Hi 🙂
After making your pumpkin gnocchi… I’m looking forward to try more recipes! Today I’m making your rice and mushroom dish. 🙂
I’m wondering about this dish, do you think it will work if I chcange the cream with coconut cream?
Thanks!
Nagi says
Hi Reut! Hmm, I think the flavours might be a bit odd with coconut cream, sorry! 🙁 N x
Rebecca says
OMG you super confused me. I had just made this recipe on Monday and came here again today to remake it and didn’t realize the recipe changed. I was second guessing if I had made it wrong all along lol. Checked an old cached page and found the original though so I’m still good. The original was delicious so now I really want to try this tweak to it!
Nagi says
Hope you do Rebecca! That mustard makes a difference to thickness and adds a touch of flavour too! 🙂 N xx
Savannah says
Yes!
I was so confused too I’m sure parmesan wasn’t there before either.. or am I going mad?
:/
Jennifer says
Nagi, I am SO EXCITED I’ve found your recipe site!! So far I’ve made two dishes (Spaghetti Bolognese & Creamy Lemon Chicken) that did NOT disappoint!! I made the creamy lemon chicken dish last night and it was an absolute hit!! I wanted to lick my plate when I was done! The sauce was so simple yet so full of flavor! I’d also like to say how wonderful it is that you take the time to respond to those who write comments on your page; what a very special touch. I’m excited to continue to tryout all your other recipes. You’re the best! – Cheers! Jennifer
Nagi says
Thanks so much for the lovely message Jennifer! So pleased you enjoyed this – hope you keep trying my recipes! N xx
Bonnie says
Nagi, I made this recipe a week ago and forgot to make a comment. I made it exactly the way you said. My husband and I loved it. Where the heck are you from? You have given me and many other people wonderful recipes! How you get them? Lol. Good, good job Nagi! Jokingly i really don’t need to know where your from. I was just making statement that the recipes you put our are wonderful. I made quite a bit of your recipes, every one of them turned out great! I loved the taste of this sauce, the lemony taste, along with the cream great taste
Again tonight, I making Asian Salmon
Nagi says
YOU MADE MY DAY!!!!! It’s been a crappy one, and you just turned it around for me! N xx ❤️
Stu says
Just made this for my tea and it was fantastic! Had it with spaghetti and some potato salad (the last bit hadn’t been planned).
Made enough to have some for dinner tomorrow too 🙂
Nagi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Stu! Thank you for letting me know – N xx
Fiona says
Well Nagi I made this and it was amazing!!! Served with creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus- yum!! The sauce was very, very thin though, so next time (and there WILL be a next time) I’ll thicken it up a bit with a buerre manie – a great hack to thicken sauces!