Divine Garlic Lemon Chicken in 25 Minutes

Name: Divine Garlic Lemon Chicken in 25 Minutes
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 17 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (3 pieces about 8 ounces each and 1 inch thick); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ¾ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 5 garlic cloves minced; ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth; 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

By anna Boncoeur On August 15, 2025

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If you are searching for the ultimate Garlic Lemon Chicken that tastes incredibly gourmet but takes less than 30 minutes, you have absolutely come to the right spot! I’m Anna, a passionate food lover who gets the biggest kick out of sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes designed to make your everyday cooking easier and way more joyful.

I’m tired of complicated dinners, so I designed this recipe to be truly one-pan magic. Seriously, the chicken comes out so juicy, and that bright lemon-garlic sauce is just heavenly. You won’t believe how fast this comes together, which makes it perfect for those crazy weeknights.

Because we rely on simple ingredients here, technique matters! I always stress patting the chicken dry and making sure you hit that safe internal temperature of 165°F. Trust me, following these little accuracy tips means you get fantastic, tender results every single time. Let’s get cooking!

Table Of content

Gathering What You Need for Garlic Lemon Chicken

You only need a handful of things for this recipe, which is part of why it’s such a lifesaver on busy nights! Everything comes together right in the skillet. I always lay out my ingredients before I even turn on the stove so I can move fast once the heat is on. Keep your chicken pieces roughly the same thickness—about an inch—so they cook evenly. That’s key!

Essential Ingredients for the Garlic Lemon Chicken

Here is exactly what you need to gather up. Don’t skip the fresh parsley for the end; it really brightens everything up!

Ingredient	Amount	Preparation Note
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts	1\u00bd pounds (about 3 pieces)	About 1 inch thick
Kosher Salt	1 teaspoon
Black Pepper	\u00be teaspoon	Freshly ground is best
Paprika	1 teaspoon
Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon
Olive Oil	2 tablespoons	For searing
Garlic Cloves	5 cloves	Minced finely
Low Sodium Chicken Broth	\u00be cup
Fresh Lemon Juice	3 tablespoons	Must be fresh-squeezed!
Lemon Zest	1 tablespoon	Zest before juicing!
Unsalted Butter	1 tablespoon	For finishing the sauce
Fresh Parsley	1 tablespoon	Chopped, for garnish

Why You Will Love This Garlic Lemon Chicken Recipe

Seriously, this recipe is a game-changer for busy nights. It checks all the boxes a home cook like me needs for a satisfying, healthy meal without the fuss. You are going to make this again and again!

Speed Demon: It’s done before you even think about ordering takeout.
Flavor Explosion: That bright, zesty punch is addictive!
Easy Cleanup: Everything happens in one single pan—hallelujah!
Lean & Mean: Packed with protein while keeping the fat content reasonable.

Quick Prep and Cook Times

Prep time is just 8 minutes—you barely have time to chop the garlic! The cooking takes only about 17 minutes total. That means you are looking at a complete, delicious meal on the table in about 25 minutes flat. You can’t beat that speed for a healthy main course.

Flavor Profile of This Garlic Lemon Chicken

The flavor profile is pure sunshine mixed with savory depth. You get that sharp, mouth-watering brightness from the fresh lemon juice and zest hitting against the warm, earthy notes of the paprika and garlic powder. When that minced garlic hits the hot pan, wow—the aroma alone is worth it!

How to Prepare Perfect Garlic Lemon Chicken

Okay, this is where the magic happens! Since this is a one-pan dish, we need to build those layers of flavor right in the skillet. Don’t rush the searing part—that golden crust equals flavor, trust me. Follow these steps exactly, and you’ll have the juiciest chicken ever.

Preparing and Seasoning the Chicken

First things first: chicken prep. Take those three chicken breasts and pat them down really well with paper towels. I mean, *really* well! Excess moisture equals steaming, not searing, and we want golden brown, not pale chicken skin. Once they are totally dry, it’s time for the spice rub.

In a small bowl, whisk together your salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken. Make sure you press the seasoning lightly into the meat so it sticks. Set the seasoned chicken aside while you get your pan ready.

Achieving the Golden Sear on Your Garlic Lemon Chicken

Grab a large skillet—one that has a lid ready nearby, just in case, though we won’t use it much here. Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. You want the oil shimmering a bit before the chicken goes in, but not smoking like crazy. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into that hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan! If your skillet is too small, cook them in batches.

Sear the first side for exactly 6 minutes. Don’t peek or prod them! We are building that beautiful golden crust. Once 6 minutes are up, flip them over. Now, cook the second side for 5 minutes more. This gets us most of the way there on the internal temperature.

Building the Bright Lemon Garlic Sauce

Once the second side has cooked for 5 minutes, it’s time for the aromatics. Clear a small spot in the pan next to the chicken and drop in your 5 minced garlic cloves. Cook them only for about 30 seconds—just until you can really smell that wonderful garlic scent. If you cook it longer, it burns and gets bitter, and we absolutely don’t want that!

Now, immediately pour in the $\frac{3}{4}$ cup of low-sodium chicken broth, along with the 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and the tablespoon of lemon zest. Scrape up any little brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan with your spoon; that’s flavor gold!

Finishing the Garlic Lemon Chicken and Sauce

Reduce your heat down to medium-low. We want a gentle simmer uncovered for about 4 minutes. This allows the sauce to reduce slightly and concentrate that lemon flavor. After those 4 minutes, stir in the 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. Swirl the pan until the butter melts right into the sauce, making it a little richer.

This is the most important step for safety and texture: remove the pan from the heat once the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a reliable meat thermometer for accuracy—don’t guess! Once it hits the mark, take the skillet off the burner immediately. Spoon that gorgeous sauce over the chicken one last time, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve!

Tips for Success with Your Garlic Lemon Chicken

Even though this is a fast weeknight meal, a couple of tiny details make the difference between good chicken and *amazing* chicken. Don’t stress if your first attempt isn’t perfect, but these tips really help lock in that juiciness we are aiming for.

Ensuring Chicken Juiciness

The number one rule for juicy chicken is space! If you cram too many chicken breasts into that skillet, the temperature drops, and they steam instead of searing. Cook in batches if you need to maintain that high heat for searing. And please, please use that meat thermometer. Pulling the chicken off the heat right at 165°F (74°C) ensures it stays tender and doesn’t dry out while resting.

Maximizing Lemon Flavor

The lemon is doing double duty here, so don’t skimp! The lemon zest is where all that intense, bright citrus oil lives. That’s why we add it early with the broth—to infuse the entire sauce. The lemon juice adds the necessary tartness and acidity to cut through the richness of the butter. If you only use bottled juice, you lose that fresh, vibrant pop that makes this Garlic Lemon Chicken so special!

Serving Suggestions for Garlic Lemon Chicken

This bright, savory Garlic Lemon Chicken really sings when paired with simple sides that can soak up that amazing pan sauce. Since the meal is already high in protein, I usually lean toward something starchy or green to balance it out.

For a super fast dinner, serve it over fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes. If you want something lighter, steamed asparagus or quick-sautéed green beans tossed with a little olive oil are fantastic choices. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette also cleanses the palate nicely between bites of that tangy sauce!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Garlic Lemon Chicken

Even though this One Pan Chicken disappears fast, sometimes you end up with leftovers—which is great because this chicken is still delicious the next day! The key here is keeping the chicken away from too much liquid during storage so it doesn’t get mushy.

Make sure the chicken and sauce have cooled down completely before you put anything away. Never leave cooked chicken sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours; that’s just not safe cooking practice. Store everything tightly sealed in the fridge.

Storage Method	Duration	Notes
Refrigerator	3 to 4 days	Keep chicken and sauce separate if possible for best texture.
Freezer	Up to 2 months	Freeze sauce separately for best results when reheating.

When you reheat leftovers, I highly recommend using the stovetop over the microwave. Gently warm the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of fresh broth or water to loosen up the sauce. This keeps your Quick Chicken Dinner juicy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Lemon Chicken

I get asked these questions all the time when people start making this recipe for the first time. It’s great that you are thinking ahead to make sure you get the best results possible with this Lemon Herb Chicken!

Can I Substitute Fresh Lemon Juice for Bottled?

Oh, please use fresh! I know bottled juice is convenient, but for this specific Garlic Lemon Chicken, fresh is non-negotiable if you want that bright, vibrant flavor. Bottled juice often has preservatives and a duller taste. When you squeeze fresh lemons, you get that zesty pop that really cuts through the savory garlic and paprika. It truly makes the sauce sing!

What is the Safest Internal Temperature for This Chicken?

This is the most important question! For any boneless, skinless chicken breast, the absolute safest internal temperature you must reach is 165°F, or 74°C. I cannot stress this enough: use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Pulling it off the heat right at that temperature ensures it’s cooked through but hasn’t dried out yet.

Can I Make This Garlic Lemon Chicken in the Oven Instead?

You absolutely can adapt this! If you prefer to avoid standing over the stove, you can certainly sear the chicken on the stovetop for color, then transfer the whole skillet (make sure it’s oven-safe!) to a preheated 400°F oven to finish cooking through. Just keep an eye on that temperature to hit that 165°F mark!

Sharing Your Garlic Lemon Chicken Experience

I truly hope this quick and flavorful Garlic Lemon Chicken becomes a staple in your rotation! Cooking should be fun, and I love hearing how these simple recipes fit into your busy life. If you gave this a try, please come back and leave a rating or drop a comment below telling me what you served it with. Happy cooking! Find more inspiration here!