The Best Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Lemon garlic butter chicken changes ordinary poultry into a mouthwatering masterpiece that promises pure culinary delight.

Tender and succulent, this dish combines zesty citrus notes with rich, velvety butter and aromatic garlic for an irresistible flavor profile.

Mediterranean-inspired cooking techniques elevate simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels both sophisticated and comfortably familiar.

Home cooks adore how quickly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or elegant weekend gatherings.

Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of tangy, savory, and creamy elements that dance across your palate with remarkable complexity.

Professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts appreciate the straightforward technique that yields restaurant-quality results without requiring advanced culinary skills.

Incredibly versatile, this chicken preparation pairs beautifully with numerous side dishes and adapts seamlessly to different dietary preferences.

Zesty Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Highlights

• Burst with Citrusy Zest: The lemon juice brightens the entire dish, creating a tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the butter and adds a refreshing punch to every bite.
• Maximize Texture Contrast: Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts paired with tender, juicy chicken create an incredible mouthfeel that keeps each forkful exciting and satisfying.
• Quick Skillet Magic: This one-pan wonder transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet meal in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous cooking adventures.
• Flavor-Packed Seasoning Symphony: The combination of smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, and fresh garlic delivers a complex, layered taste that elevates the chicken from ordinary to extraordinary.

Essential Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Tenderloins: Lean protein that cooks quickly and stays tender with delicate flavor.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds rich, smoky depth and beautiful reddish color to the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Italian Seasoning: Herbal blend that provides aromatic Mediterranean-style taste.
• Chili Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and subtle spiciness to the dish.

• Olive Oil: High-quality cooking fat for searing chicken with rich, smooth texture.
• Butter: Creates luxurious, silky sauce with rich, creamy mouthfeel.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic component that tenderizes chicken and adds fresh citrus notes.

• Brussels Sprouts: Nutty, caramelized vegetable that pairs wonderfully with chicken.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, pungent flavor base.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright garnish and additional layer of herbal complexity.

How to Cook Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken to Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Warm the oven to 400°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Spread vegetables on the baking sheet with cut sides facing down.

Roast for 20 minutes until edges turn golden and crispy.

Step 2: Season Chicken Strips

Slice chicken tenderloins into thin strips if needed.

• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat.

Cook chicken in a single layer for 3 minutes.

Flip and cook additional 2 minutes until golden brown.

Step 4: Create Lemon Garlic Sauce

Lower heat to low setting.

• Italian seasoning
• Chili flakes
• Minced garlic
• Fresh lemon juice
• Butter

Stir and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Introduce roasted Brussels sprouts to the skillet.

Add remaining butter.

Quickly stir to coat everything with sauce.

Remove from heat.

Sprinkle half the chopped parsley.

Garnish with remaining parsley when serving.

Kitchen Notes for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

• Slice Chicken Evenly: Cut tenderloins into uniform strips to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Crush Garlic Freshly: Use freshly crushed garlic for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic richness in the sauce.
• Caramelize Brussels Sprouts Perfectly: Place sprouts cut-side down on the baking sheet to achieve a golden, crispy exterior and tender interior.
• Control Skillet Heat: Maintain medium heat when cooking chicken to lock in juices and create a beautiful golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Adjust chili flakes and salt to personal taste, remembering that butter and lemon juice will also contribute to the overall flavor profile.

Storage & Reheating Guide for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

• Refrigerate: Transfer chicken and Brussels sprouts to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Pack meal in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through, about 3-4 minutes. Avoid microwave to maintain chicken's tenderness and crispy edges.

Top Dishes to Serve with Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the bright lemon and garlic flavors, cutting through the richness of the butter sauce.
• Serve with Zesty Citrus Salad: Create a light side salad with mixed greens, orange segments, and a tangy vinaigrette to enhance the lemon notes in the chicken dish.
• Match with Herbal Sparkling Water: Choose a lemon-infused or herb-flavored sparkling water to mirror the dish's fresh, vibrant taste and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Serve warm, crusty artisan bread to soak up the delicious lemon garlic butter sauce, adding a satisfying textural element to the meal.

New Spins on Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken

• Citrus Zest Chicken Upgrade: Incorporate orange or lime zest into the marinade for a brighter, more complex citrus profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Transformation: Replace Italian seasoning with za'atar and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired rendition.
• Spicy Cajun Edition: Swap smoked paprika for Cajun seasoning and add sliced andouille sausage to create a bold, Louisiana-style dish.
• Asian-Inspired Fusion: Substitute lemon juice with rice vinegar, add ginger, and sprinkle sesame seeds for an east-meets-west flavor experience.

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Lemon garlic butter chicken delivers Mediterranean magic with zesty citrus and rich, silky sauce. Succulent chicken breasts bathe in herb-infused butter, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can savor at home.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) chicken tenderloins, skinless, boneless
• 12 oz (340 g) Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed, yellow leaves removed

Seasonings and Spices:

• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes, or to taste

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Brussels sprouts by preheating the oven to a high temperature and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Create a flavor base by thoroughly coating the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, ensuring each vegetable is evenly seasoned with salt and pepper.
3. Strategically arrange the Brussels sprouts on the baking sheet with cut sides facing downward to maximize caramelization and develop rich, crispy edges.
4. Roast the Brussels sprouts until they transform into golden-brown, tender morsels with a deep, nutty flavor profile, approximately 20 minutes.
5. Prepare the chicken by trimming and slicing the tenderloins into uniform strips to ensure consistent cooking.
6. Season the chicken pieces generously with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, allowing the spices to adhere and create a flavorful crust.
7. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet, creating an ideal surface for achieving a perfect golden-brown sear on the chicken.
8. Cook the chicken in a single layer, allowing each piece to develop a crisp exterior while maintaining moisture, approximately 3 minutes per side.
9. Reduce the skillet’s heat and introduce Italian seasoning, chili flakes, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice to create a vibrant, aromatic sauce.
10. Incorporate butter into the skillet, allowing it to melt and blend with the herbs and spices, creating a rich, glossy coating for the chicken.
11. Combine the roasted Brussels sprouts with the chicken, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is lavishly coated in the lemon garlic butter sauce.
12. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle chopped parsley throughout the dish, adding a fresh, bright element to the final presentation.
13. Garnish with additional parsley just before serving to enhance the visual appeal and provide a final burst of herbal freshness.

Notes

• Perfectly roast Brussels sprouts by placing cut sides down on the baking sheet for maximum caramelization and crispy edges.
• Slice chicken tenderloins into even strips to ensure uniform cooking and faster preparation time.
• Use a cast-iron skillet to achieve beautiful golden-brown chicken with excellent flavor development and sauce retention.
• Balance flavors by combining smoky paprika, zesty lemon, spicy chili flakes, and herbaceous Italian seasoning for a complex taste profile.
• Create a quick, restaurant-style pan sauce by reducing butter, garlic, and lemon juice during the final cooking stages.
• Finish the dish by stirring fresh parsley for a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and subtle herbal notes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg