Description
This One-Pan Lemon Basil Chicken recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a zesty herb flour mixture, pan-seared to a golden brown, and finished with a buttery garlic lemon sauce topped with fresh basil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it combines bright citrus notes with savory herbs for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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, combine flour, lemon zest, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Coat the chicken breasts evenly in the flour mixture, then shake off any excess flour to ensure a light, even coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the coated chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook them for about 10 minutes total, flipping once, until both sides are nicely browned and the chicken is cooked through. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Stir until the butter melts and the garlic becomes fragrant. Pour in the lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan to incorporate all the flavors. Let the sauce simmer briefly until it slightly thickens.
- Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, warming them through in the sauce for about 1 minute. Sprinkle with freshly sliced basil leaves and garnish with extra lemon slices before serving to enhance the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken to ensure even browning.
- If desired, substitute fresh thyme and oregano for dried for a more aromatic flavor.
- Use chicken broth low in sodium to control salt levels.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad for a balanced meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
