Description
This One-Pan Lemon Basil Chicken recipe combines tender chicken breasts coated in a flavorful lemon-herb flour mix, pan-seared to golden perfection, then finished in a rich garlic butter and chicken broth sauce infused with fresh basil. It’s a quick and easy dish bursting with bright, fresh flavors perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Zest and juice from 1/2 lemon, divided
- 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
- Extra lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large dish, combine the all-purpose flour, lemon zest, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Evenly coat the chicken breast pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour to avoid clumping during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook, flipping once, until both sides are browned and the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes total. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet used for cooking chicken, add the butter and minced garlic. Stir as the butter melts to release garlic’s aroma. Then, stir in the lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any flavorful browned bits. 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 to absorb the flavors. Remove from heat, top with thinly sliced fresh basil leaves and garnish with extra lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to slice the chicken breasts thinly and evenly to ensure quick and even cooking.
- If fresh basil is unavailable, you may substitute with fresh parsley for some color and flavor.
- For a gluten-free alternative, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
