Description
The Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet is a quick, flavorful, and satisfying one-pan dinner featuring juicy boneless chicken thighs infused with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic. Ready in under 30 minutes, this vibrant dish combines bright citrus notes with savory garlic and fresh herbs, making it ideal for busy weeknights or any time you want a delicious, fuss-free meal with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (optional)
Liquids & Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure a great sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to build a flavorful base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook without moving them until golden brown on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Sauté briefly until fragrant and golden, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Liquid Ingredients: Pour in fresh lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate their flavor into the sauce.
- Simmer the Chicken: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer over low heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Finish With Freshness: Sprinkle lemon zest and chopped fresh herbs over the chicken for a bright burst of aroma and flavor just before serving.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a better sear and caramelization.
- Always use fresh lemon juice and zest to maximize brightness and flavor.
- Monitor garlic cooking time carefully to avoid bitterness from burning.
- If needed, cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure even browning.
- Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes off the heat for juicy, tender results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: lemon chicken, garlic chicken, one pan chicken, quick dinner, gluten free chicken, skillet chicken
