Sautéed Lemon Pepper Chicken (30 Minute Meal!)

Repeat after me: chicken breasts don’t have to be dry and boring! There are lots of easy ways to turn it into delicious and delicious dishes, like this simple one Fried Chicken with Lemon Pepper! I grilled the chicken until it was tender and juicy. To really amp up the flavor, I slathered it with a sauce that combines all the goodness of lemon pepper seasoning, garlic, and butter.

I love how the spicy and bright flavor of lemon balances everything out. Come on, garlic and butter taste great with any chicken! You can also make the sauce richer by adding cream, plus some red pepper flakes or cayenne for extra spice.

The best part? This easy lemon pepper chicken breast recipe is a healthy, hearty dish that’s packed with protein. It’s so easy to make – all you need is a skillet! This is the ideal dish to make on busy weeknights, so don’t forget to add it to your weekly rotation.

Try other delicious chicken recipes like my Greek Yogurt Chicken Parmesan , Sautéed Chicken , and Grilled Chicken Fajitas!

Why you’ll love cooking lemon pepper chicken

Here’s why this lemon pepper chicken recipe will be your favorite way to cook chicken:

• Healthy Choices: Chicken breast is a lean protein source that is versatile in the kitchen. You can pan-fry, broil, bake or air-fry it, and you can even enhance its flavor with a variety of seasonings and sauces.
• Quick and delicious: In less than 30 minutes, you can make a delicious, juicy chicken meal for the whole family! Lemon pepper seasoning gives it a bright, tart flavor that complements the rich flavors of butter and garlic in the sauce.
• Great for pairing: Serve with pasta, white rice, or roasted vegetables like asparagus and broccoli for a complete meal.

Lemon pepper is an underrated seasoning! It can also be used in other seafood dishes such as Lemon Pepper Salmon, Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken, and Lemon Pepper Tilapia.

Ingredients and easy replacement

Here’s everything you need to make lemon pepper chicken:

• chicken: I like to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this recipe because they are easier to cook. Cut the chicken into small pieces and flatten as needed. You can also use different cuts of chicken, such as thighs and wings, but these will take longer to cook, especially bone-in chicken. It also works with pork. Shrimp and fish.
• flour: This is the base for the coating, you can use all-purpose white whole wheat flour or an alternative gluten-free flour. Cornstarch can also be used or mixed with flour.
• lemon pepper seasoning: The highlight of this dish! Use this seasoned flour generously to really coat the chicken cutlets in all the delicious flavors. You can use store-bought or homemade lemon pepper seasoning.
• red pepper flakes: If you want your chicken to be spicier, add red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne, or paprika.
• olive oil: I love frying chicken in olive oil. You can use any oil you like or switch to butter.
• lemon chili sauce: Combine the butter and minced garlic in the same pan you cooked the chicken in, then add the chicken stock to soak up all the goodness left in the pan. Of course, a squeeze of fresh lemon slices will add some acidity to the sauce. You can also choose to add heavy cream to make it richer and creamier.

What is lemon pepper seasoning?

Lemon Pepper Seasoning is a simple yet tangy spice blend made from dried lemon zest and black peppercorns. This combination delivers a rich, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor that enhances the flavor of chicken, seafood, and even vegetables.

You can make your own lemon pepper seasoning at home, but store-bought is good too. Just look for one that contains real lemon zest, black pepper, minimal preservatives, and artificial flavor enhancers. Also always check seasonings for salt and adjust recipes as needed.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken

Trust me, this will be your go-to chicken dinner recipe! Here’s how to do it in just half an hour, including prep time:

1. Get the coating and chicken ready: Combine flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into one-inch pieces, making sure they are nearly the same size so they cook evenly.
2. Coat the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the coating adhere better. Toss chicken pieces in flour mixture until coated.
3. Burn the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown, 4-5 minutes. For better browning, don’t overcrowd the skillet. Flip and cook for 3-4 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside, covered with foil to keep warm.
4. make sauce: Turn heat to medium-low. Add butter and garlic to skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then pour in the chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 4-6 minutes until thickened. Turn off the heat.
5. Complete the sauce: Add fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. If you are using heavy cream, gently mix it into the sauce. Taste and season as desired. Add a few red pepper flakes for heat.
6. Serve: Plate the chicken and pour the sauce over it. Garnish with additional parsley or lemon slices. For a balanced meal, serve with sides such as steamed vegetables, rice or fresh salad.

Recipe changes

Cooking is all about experimenting and trying new things! Here are some variations you can make to make your own lemon pepper chicken recipe:

• Make it into sheet pan rice: Do not sear the chicken, but spread it out on a sheet pan and bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until caramelized and golden brown. This can also be done in the air fryer. Then mix the sauce in a small pot, pour it over the crispy chicken and serve.
• Change the sauce: An easy way to adjust this recipe is to adjust the sauce. Add heavy cream to the sauce for creamy lemon pepper chicken, or add honey to give it a sweet flavor! Feel free to add some Parmesan cheese as well.
• Add vegetables: Add some vegetables to make this dish more filling and nutritious. After you’re done sautéing the chicken, sauté some zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, green beans or cauliflower in the same pan. Set aside while you make the sauce. Or for an easier option, just toss some spinach into the sauce before serving.
• Add more flavor: For even more flavor, consider adding some sun-dried tomatoes, capers, artichoke hearts, olives, or roasted red peppers to your dish. Just be careful with the amount of salt you use to make sure it doesn’t turn out salty.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Just when you thought this lemon pepper chicken recipe couldn’t get any better, it still can! Follow these tips to make the best lemon pepper chicken:

• Use thinly sliced ​​chicken breasts to ensure it cooks evenly without drying out. You can cut thicker slices in half and pound them into an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
• if you have time, Marinate the chicken first Spread with lemon pepper seasoning to lock in more flavor.
• choose one Premium Lemon Pepper Seasoning If you buy from store. The more natural the ingredients, the better. Also, pay attention to whether the one you want to use is already salted so you don’t over-season it.
• Don’t overcrowd the pot When cooking chicken pieces, ensure even browning. For larger portions, cook in batches or use a larger pan.
• Make the White Wine Reduction Sauce Add white wine to the original pan sauce. This elevates the dish significantly and adds a touch of luxury, making it ideal for special occasions like date night.

What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken

Lemon Pepper Chicken has a light and balanced flavor that pairs easily with a variety of delicious side dishes. Here are some ideas:

Store and reheat

When storing leftovers, be sure to remove any leftover Lemon Pepper Chicken Sauce from the pan. Don’t miss out on all the beauty inside!

• store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
• freeze: Can be frozen for up to three months as long as placed in a freezer-safe container.
• reheat: If freezing, thaw leftovers in the refrigerator overnight first. You can heat it in the microwave or reheat it on the stovetop in a frying pan.