Name: Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Salt to taste; Pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon garlic, minced; Red pepper flakes to taste; 1/4 cup heavy cream

If you’re craving something bright, comforting, and utterly delicious, let me introduce you to my favorite Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe. It’s a quick, flavorful dinner that packs a punch with zesty lemon, rich cream, and savory garlic—a combo you’re going to want to make again and again.

lemon garlic chicken - The image shows three pieces of cooked chicken placed on a white bowl, each piece topped with a small slice of lemon. The chicken is covered with a light brown sauce that looks shiny and smooth, with bits of black pepper and small green herbs scattered on top. The sauce pools around the chicken pieces, adding a glossy finish. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe hits all the right notes for a weeknight meal or casual dinner party. I first tried it on a whim and was hooked by how quickly you can get something impressive on the table with just a handful of ingredients.

Simplified Flavor Explosion: The lemon and garlic cream sauce is tangy, creamy, and just garlicky enough without overpowering the tender chicken.
Fast and Easy: It takes under 30 minutes from start to finish, which is perfect when you want a delicious home-cooked meal without the fuss.
Comfort Food with a Fresh Twist: It’s creamy and comforting but brightened by lemon—making it great any time of year.
Impress Without Stress: I love serving this when friends pop over because it looks fancy but is actually so straightforward.

lemon garlic chicken - The image shows several cooked chicken pieces, each topped with a small lemon slice and sprinkled with chopped green herbs. The chicken has a shiny, slightly browned surface with a light golden color and some black pepper visible. There is a light sauce around the chicken, which adds a glossy look and pools gently under the pieces. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component balances the others perfectly, giving you a sauce that’s rich but not heavy, tangy but smooth. Here’s the scoop on my key picks:

lemon garlic chicken - Flat lay of four plump, raw boneless skinless chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, fresh bright yellow lemon halves and wedges showing juicy pulp, a small pile of finely minced white garlic cloves, a few dollops of rich golden butter, glossy green sprigs of fresh parsley, a small heap of golden honey glistening under the light, scattered red pepper flakes adding tiny red specks, and a thin stream of clear golden olive oil arranged naturally with soft shadows, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken breasts: These are lean and cook quickly; pounding them to an even thickness helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the chicken get that beautiful golden crust.
Olive oil: Used alongside butter to raise the smoke point and add subtle fruity notes.
Chicken broth: This forms the savory base of the sauce, bringing depth without heaviness.
Lemon juice: Provides fresh acidity that brightens the whole dish—don’t skip this!
Honey: Balances the tartness of the lemon with a gentle sweetness.
Garlic: Offers that warm, aromatic bite that lingers deliciously.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch gives a tiny kick that wakes up your taste buds without stealing the show.
Heavy cream: Blends everything into a smooth, luscious sauce that clings to the chicken perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe by tweaking it to suit the mood or what’s in my pantry. You really can’t go wrong — making it your own just adds fun and flavor variations.

Variation: Sometimes I swap half-and-half for the heavy cream if I want it a little lighter, and it still tastes amazing! Also, adding fresh thyme or rosemary can give a lovely herbal note.
Dietary tweak: For lower fat, I’ve used coconut milk instead of cream, which gives a subtle twist but comes out creamy and delicious.
Extra zip: If you like it spicy, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky warmth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season Like a Pro

The first thing I do is wrap the chicken breasts in plastic wrap and gently pound them to about half an inch thick. This little trick ensures even cooking so the chicken stays juicy rather than drying out. Then, pat them dry — moisture on the surface means less browning — and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Simple seasoning lets the sauce shine later.

Step 2: Sear to Golden Perfection

Heat a skillet over medium-high and melt the butter with olive oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, lay the chicken breasts down — but don’t fidget! Let them sear undisturbed for about 5 minutes until the underside is beautifully browned. Flip, lower the heat to medium, cover, and cook for about 10 more minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F inside. Resist the urge to poke too much; patience pays off.

Step 3: Whip Up the Lemon Garlic Sauce

Once the chicken’s resting on a plate, it’s sauce time. In the same skillet, stir together chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Scrape the bottom to loosen those tasty browned bits—they’re flavor gold! Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens—usually around 5 minutes—then stir in the heavy cream to create that rich, silky finish.

Step 4: Marry Sauce and Chicken

Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning that luscious lemon garlic cream sauce over the top. Let it warm through for a minute or two so all those flavors get cozy together before plating.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours: a few small tricks make this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe shine every time, and I can’t wait for you to try them.

Even Thickness Matters: Pounding the chicken not only helps it cook evenly but also tenderizes it, which means moist, juicy bites.
Don’t Rush the Sear: Waiting to flip the chicken until it’s nicely browned creates better flavor and helps keep it juicy inside.
Scrape the Pan For Flavor: Those browned bits stuck to the pan after cooking chicken are loaded with flavor and make your sauce taste amazing.
Simmer Gently: When thickening the sauce, keep the heat low so the cream doesn't separate and the sauce stays silky.

How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

lemon garlic chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Whenever I serve this dish, I love a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley on top—it adds color and a fresh herb flavor that brightens those creamy, lemony notes. Sometimes, I’ll throw on a couple lemon wedges on the side for those who want to add an extra zing.

Side Dishes

This chicken is lovely alongside buttery mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to soak up every drop of that luscious sauce. Roasted asparagus or green beans bring a crisp, fresh contrast. On busy nights, a simple arugula salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For company, I like serving the chicken sliced on a platter with sauce drizzled over the top and garnished with lemon slices and fresh herbs. It makes for a stunning centerpiece that's easy for guests to help themselves to. You can also plate it individually with a small wedge of lemon on the side and a sprig of thyme for visual appeal and aroma.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually pop leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Because the sauce is creamy, it holds up nicely but can thicken a bit overnight, so stirring in a splash of broth or cream when reheating helps it loosen back up.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a few times by separating chicken and sauce. The sauce freezes well on its own, but the cream might separate slightly when thawed—no big deal, just whisk it back together on the stove. The chicken can become a little firmer, so I recommend freezing only if you’re not too worried about texture changes.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer gently warming the chicken covered in the sauce over low heat on the stovetop to keep it from drying out. Microwaving works too but check at short intervals and stir so the cream sauce heats evenly without splitting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Bone-in, skin-on thighs will add extra flavor and stay juicy, but you’ll need to cook them a bit longer—about 20 minutes covered after searing. Boneless thighs also work well and cook closer to the same time as breasts.

What if I don’t have heavy cream?

You can substitute with half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free twist. The sauce will be slightly less rich but still lovely. Just add it at the end and whisk well to keep it smooth.

How do I make sure my chicken stays juicy?

Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness and not overcooking them are key. Also, searing them first to seal in juices and covering during cooking helps trap moisture. Using a meat thermometer to check for 165°F prevents drying out.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time for guests?

Definitely! You can cook the chicken and sauce separately and reheat them gently just before serving. This saves time and lets you focus on plating and setting the table without stress.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe has quickly become my go-to when I want something that feels special but doesn't require hours in the kitchen. It’s one of those dishes that never fails to impress—whether a family dinner or a casual catch-up with friends. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll appreciate how a few fresh ingredients combined with simple techniques can create something this memorable.