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 and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon garlic, minced; Red pepper flakes to taste

If you’re after a dish that tastes fancy but comes together quickly, you’re in the right place. This Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe is exactly that — juicy chicken breasts bathed in a zesty, silky cream sauce that feels like a hug on a plate. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through how to nail this in your own kitchen.

lemon garlic chicken - The image shows three cooked chicken pieces covered in a shiny light brown sauce on a white bowl. Each piece has a slice of yellow lemon on top and small green parsley leaves scattered around for garnish. The chicken looks moist and lightly peppered, with the sauce pooling slightly around the edges. The white bowl sits on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and fresh look. 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

I honestly can’t get enough of this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe because it combines brightness from lemon, a comforting creaminess, and just the right hint of garlic to make everything sing. Plus, it only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, so it’s perfect when you want a delicious homemade meal without the fuss.

Speedy and Simple: You can have a gourmet-tasting dinner on the table in under 30 minutes – total win for busy weeknights.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: The lemon and garlic combo brightens the creamy sauce, making it anything but boring.
Juicy, Tender Chicken: Pounding the breasts ensures they cook evenly and stay perfectly juicy.
Versatility: This dish pairs beautifully with so many sides, and you can easily tweak the sauce to suit your mood.

lemon garlic chicken - The image shows four cooked chicken pieces placed close to each other on a white marbled surface, each piece covered with a light brown sauce that shines under the light. Each chicken piece is topped with small green parsley leaves scattered across, adding a touch of green color. On top of two chicken pieces, there are thin lemon slices, with the bright yellow and light green tones standing out. The chicken pieces have a smooth texture with some specks of black pepper visible on the surface. The sauce pools slightly around the pieces, giving a warm and moist look to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe plays a key role—from the chicken itself to the rich cream and the sharp lemon juice that cuts through it all. When you shop, go for fresh garlic and real lemon juice (freshly squeezed if you can), as they bring the best flavor punch here.

lemon garlic chicken - Flat lay of four raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a smooth, pale pink surface, fresh bright yellow lemon halves and wedges with glossy citrus rind, a small pile of peeled white garlic cloves next to minced garlic showing fine texture, a few sprigs of vibrant green parsley leaves, a small heap of golden honey glistening softly, coarse red pepper flakes scattered for color contrast, and a small pool of clear, golden olive oil, all beautifully arranged in a natural, slightly overlapping pattern to show variety and freshness, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless work best for quick, even cooking.
Butter: Adds richness and helps develop a beautiful golden crust on the chicken.
Olive oil: Keeps the butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity flavor.
Heavy cream: Creates the luscious texture of the sauce that clings to the chicken perfectly.
Chicken broth: A savory base that brings depth to the sauce without overpowering it.
Lemon juice: The star ingredient for brightness and a fresh zing.
Honey: Balances the tart lemon with a touch of natural sweetness.
Garlic, minced: Fresh, fragrant garlic adds warmth and depth.
Salt and pepper: Essentials for seasoning and enhancing all the other flavors.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch gives a subtle heat that wakes up the palate.

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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

One of the best things about this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I love adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary when I have them on hand, but feel free to experiment with different sweeteners or spices to suit your tastes.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap out heavy cream for half-and-half to lighten the sauce a bit, and it turns out great without losing creaminess.
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, coconut cream works surprisingly well and adds a unique flavor twist.
Spice it up: If you like heat, I add a dash more red pepper flakes or even a pinch of cayenne for a deeper kick.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken for Even Cooking

Start by wrapping each chicken breast in plastic wrap, then gently pounding it to about ½-inch thickness. This helps the chicken cook evenly and stay tender—trust me, it’s a game changer. After that, pat the chicken dry and season well with salt and pepper on both sides. Dry chicken gives you that beautiful golden crust during searing.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Lock in Juices

Heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Once hot, place the chicken breasts in and don’t touch them for about 5 minutes – this helps them get a nice browning. After the first side is golden, reduce heat to medium and flip the chicken. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 more minutes until the internal temperature hits 165°F and the juices run clear.

Step 3: Whip Up the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

While the chicken rests, combine chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in the hot skillet (after removing the chicken). Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the pan – that’s pure flavor! Let the sauce simmer for roughly 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, then stir in the heavy cream and mix to combine beautifully.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Return the chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the sauce over to coat. Let it all meld for a minute or two on low heat, then serve immediately. Fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley add a nice touch if you want to get fancy.

Top Tip

From all my times making this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe, I've learned a few things that really bump up the flavor and texture every time.

Pounding the chicken: Don’t skip this step! It ensures even cooking and tender meat, plus it helps the sauce cling better.
Let the sauce reduce: Give it time to thicken on the stove for a richer, more concentrated flavor.
Scrape those brown bits: When you add the sauce ingredients, scraping the pan’s fond adds incredible depth and umami.
Avoid overcooking: Use a thermometer if you can, stopping at 165°F keeps your chicken juicy and prevents dryness.

How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

lemon garlic chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a simple garnish of freshly chopped parsley for color and a quick squeeze of lemon juice right before serving. It really brightens up the dish and adds that extra layer of freshness.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or even a light arugula salad dressed with olive oil and a splash of lemon. I often reach for garlic bread to soak up every last bit of that creamy sauce!

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I sometimes serve the chicken sliced atop a bed of fluffy risotto or creamy polenta, with the lemon garlic cream sauce drizzled over everything. It feels a bit fancy but is still so simple to make.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover chicken with this lemon garlic cream sauce stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always let it cool completely before sealing to keep the flavors fresh and avoid sogginess.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cooked chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container with good results. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat to avoid breaking the cream sauce.

Reheating

When reheating, I prefer warming the chicken gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. It keeps the cream sauce smooth and stops the chicken from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work wonderfully and remain juicy. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs might need a bit longer to reach that ideal internal temperature.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling?

The key is to simmer the sauce gently and avoid boiling once the cream is added. Stir frequently and keep the heat low to maintain that silky texture.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

You can prepare the lemon garlic sauce base (without the cream) up to a day in advance and refrigerate it. Add the cream and reheat gently before serving for the freshest result.

What sides go best with Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce?

Classic pairings include mashed potatoes, steamed or roasted veggies like asparagus or green beans, or even a fresh garden salad. The creamy sauce also complements rice or pasta beautifully.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe as much as I do. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a little luxury but is approachable enough for any night you want to impress yourself or your guests. Give it a try and let the vibrant lemon garlic cream sauce become a new favorite in your rotation—you won’t regret it.