Description
This vibrant One-Pan Lemon Basil Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts coated in a flavorful lemon-herb flour mixture, pan-seared to golden perfection and served with a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce infused with fresh basil. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a quick and elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 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
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
Garnish
- 5 leaves fresh basil, thinly sliced
- Extra lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large dish, combine the flour, lemon zest, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Evenly coat each chicken breast half in this flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure a light, even coating.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for about 10 minutes total, flipping once, until both sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Melt the butter and gently sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Finish the Dish: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and warm through in the sauce for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and garnish with freshly sliced basil leaves and extra lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in lemon juice and herbs before coating with flour.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the brightest flavor.
- If chicken breasts are very thick, pound them to an even thickness before slicing lengthwise to ensure even cooking.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
