Looking for a dinner recipe that’s quick, comforting, and full of flavor? These tender chicken fillets with lemon garlic cream sauce hit all the right notes. Juicy pan-seared chicken is smothered in a velvety lemon-infused cream sauce with just the right amount of garlic to awaken your taste buds — all ready in under half an hour.
Perfect for weeknights, date nights, or any night you crave a rich but balanced meal, this one-pan recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
Ingredients
This recipe serves four people.
For the Chicken
- Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally into thin fillets
- Half teaspoon salt
- Quarter teaspoon black pepper
- Half teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Two tablespoons olive oil
- One tablespoon butter
For the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce
- Four cloves garlic, minced
- One cup chicken broth
- Half cup heavy cream
- One tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- One teaspoon lemon zest
- One teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for depth)
- One tablespoon chopped parsley or basil (optional for garnish)
Preparation Time
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 to 18 minutes
- Total time: 25 to 30 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Season and Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken fillets dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
- Add chicken fillets to the skillet in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
- Sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate, covered loosely with foil.
Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
Step 4: Return Chicken to the Sauce
- Add the chicken fillets back to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over them and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to warm through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with chopped herbs before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or steamed rice to soak up the sauce.
- Pair with sautéed green beans, asparagus, or a crisp salad for freshness.
- For low-carb diets, serve with cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles.
- A glass of chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay makes a perfect pairing.
Nutritional Highlights
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 fillet with sauce) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 340 |
| Protein | 32 grams |
| Total Fat | 21 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 9 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 4 grams |
| Fiber | 0 grams |
| Sugars | 1 gram |
| Sodium | 430 milligrams |
Key Benefits:
- Lean protein from chicken supports muscle recovery and satiety
- Lemon and garlic offer antioxidant and immune-supportive compounds
- Low-carb and gluten-free by nature, suitable for keto-style diets
- Creamy texture without the need for flour or heavy thickeners
Chef’s Tips for Best Results
- Do not overcook the chicken. Thin fillets cook fast — use a thermometer and remove at 165°F.
- If using larger breasts, pound them to even thickness for quicker and even cooking.
- Adjust the lemon to your taste — add extra zest for brightness or a splash more cream to mellow it.
- Add baby spinach or mushrooms to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Variations to Try
- Use boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness and richer flavor.
- Substitute sour cream or Greek yogurt for part of the cream for a tangier sauce.
- Add capers for a Mediterranean-style version with briny depth.
- Include a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
Tender chicken fillets with lemon garlic cream sauce offer a luxurious meal that feels fancy but comes together fast. With its creamy, garlicky, citrus-kissed sauce and perfectly seared chicken, this dish will satisfy comfort food cravings without weighing you down.