Sauteed Lemon Pepper Chicken

Repeat after me: chicken breast doesn’t have to be dry and boring! There are so many easy ways to transform it into a flavorful, appetizing dish—just like this easy Sauteed Lemon Pepper Chicken! I sear the chicken until tender and juicy. To really up the flavor, I cover it with a sauce that combines all the goodness of lemon pepper seasoning, garlic, and butter in one.

I love how the zesty and bright flavor of lemon balances everything. And come on, garlic and butter taste great with anything chicken! You can also make the sauce richer by adding cream, plus an extra kick of spice with some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.

The very best part? This easy lemon pepper chicken breast recipe is a healthy and hearty dish rich in protein. It's so simple to make—you can use just one skillet! It's the ideal dish to make during busy weeknights, so don’t forget to add this to your weekly rotation.

Try out other yummy chicken recipes like my Greek Yogurt Parmesan Chicken, Chicken Stir Fry, 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 choice: Chicken breast is a lean source of protein that’s also very versatile in the kitchen. You can sear, bake, broil, or air fry it and even enhance it with all sorts of seasonings and sauces.
• Quick and flavorful: In just under 30 minutes, you can create a flavorful and juicy chicken meal for the whole family! The lemon pepper seasoning gives it a bright and tart flavor that complements the richness of butter and garlic in the sauce.
• Great for pairing: Serve it with pasta, white rice, or roasted vegetables like asparagus and broccoli to create a complete meal.

Lemon pepper is such an underrated seasoning! It can also be used for other seafood dishes, like Lemon Pepper Salmon, Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken, and Lemon Pepper Tilapia.

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here's everything you need to make this lemon & pepper chicken:

• Chicken: I like using boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this recipe because they are easier to cook. Cut the chicken into smaller pieces and flatten as needed. You can also use a different cut of chicken, like thighs and wings, for this recipe, but those will just take a bit longer to cook, especially bone-in ones. It also works with pork. shrimp, and fish.
• Flour: This is the base for the coating and you can use all-purpose, white whole wheat, or an alternative gluten-free flour. Cornstarch can also be used or mixed with flour.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: The highlight of the dish! Be generous in seasoning the flour with this to really coat the chicken cutlets with all its zesty goodness. You can use either store-bought or homemade lemon pepper seasoning.
• Red pepper flakes: If you want some heat in your chicken, add red pepper flakes, hot paprika, cayenne pepper, or chili powder.
• Olive oil: I like to sear the chicken with olive oil. You can use any oil you prefer or swap in butter.
• Lemon pepper sauce: Combine butter and minced garlic in the same pan where you cooked the chicken, then add chicken broth to fully incorporate all the goodness left in the pan. Of course, squeeze in some fresh lemon slices to add acidity to the sauce. You also have the option to add heavy cream to make it richer and creamier.

What is lemon pepper seasoning?

Lemon pepper seasoning is a simple but strong spice blend made with dried lemon zest and black pepper. This combination gives a zesty, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor that enhances the taste of chicken, seafood, and even vegetables.

You can make your own lemon pepper seasoning at home, but store-bought ones are also good. Just look for one with real lemon zest, black pepper, minimal preservatives, and artificial flavor enhancers. Also always check to see if the seasoning has salt and adjust your recipe as needed.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken

Trust me, this will be your go-to recipe for chicken dinners! Here’s how you can make it in just half an hour, including prep time:

1. Prep the coating and chicken: Combine flour, lemon pepper seasoning, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Cut the chicken into one-inch chunks, ensuring they are close to 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 the chicken pieces in the flour mixture until they are well coated.
3. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the skillet for better browning. Flip and cook for 3-4 minutes until fully cooked and golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside, tenting with foil to keep warm.
4. Make the sauce: Turn the heat down to medium-low. Add the butter and garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until nice and fragrant. Then, pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4-6 minutes until it thickens. Turn off the heat.
5. Finish the sauce: Stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. If you’re using heavy cream, gently mix it into the sauce. Taste and season as needed. Add a dash of red pepper flakes for some heat.
6. Serve: Plate the chicken and drizzle the sauce over the top. Garnish with additional parsley or lemon slices. For a balanced meal, enjoy it with sides like steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.

Recipe Variations

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

• Make it a sheet pan meal: Instead of searing the chicken, spread it out on a sheet pan and bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes until coked through and golden brown. This could also be done in the air fryer. Then make the sauce in a small pan and drizzle the crispy chicken with the sauce to serve.
• Change up the sauce: An easy way to tweak this recipe is to play around with the sauce. Incorporate heavy cream into the sauce to make creamy lemon pepper chicken, or add honey to give it a sweet twist! Feel free to add some Parmesan cheese, too.
• Incorporate vegetables: Make this dish more filling and pack it with more nutrients by adding some veggies. After sauteing the chicken, saute some zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or cauliflower in the same pan. Set aside and then make the sauce. Or for an easier option, simply wilt some spinach into the sauce right before serving.
• Add more flavor: For even more flavor, consider adding some sundried tomatoes, capers, artichoke hearts, olives, or roasted red peppers to the dish. Just watch the salt, to make sure it doesn’t end up to 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 breast to ensure it cooks through and evenly without drying out. You can split the thicker slices in half and pound them into an even thickness of about ¼ inch.
• If you have time, marinate the chicken first with lemon pepper seasoning before coating it to lock in more flavor.
• Choose a quality lemon pepper seasoning if you’re buying from the store. The more natural the ingredients, the better. Also, take note if the one you’ll use already has salt to avoid over seasoning.
• Don't overcrowd the pan while cooking the chicken pieces to ensure even browning. For bigger servings, cook in batches or use a bigger pan.
• Make a white wine reduction sauce by adding white wine to the original pan sauce. This elevates the dish by a lot and adds a bit of luxury, making it ideal to serve for special occasions like date nights.

What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Chicken

Lemon pepper chicken is so light and balanced, which makes it so easy to pair with all sorts of delicious sides. Here are some ideas:

• Carbs: Serve it over brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice or with pasta on the side for a full, hearty meal.
• Roasted veggies: Roast some vegetables like asparagus, green beans, broccoli, and carrots for the perfect side dishes. You can also add sauteed snow peas or snap peas to the mix.
• Mashed potatoes: Of course, you can also pair it with creamy mashed potatoes that work so well with the citrusy flavor of the chicken,
• Grain bowls: For a refreshing side, opt for healthy salads and bowls like this Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl.

Storage and Reheating

When storing leftovers, make sure to get all the remaining lemon pepper chicken sauce from the pan. Don’t leave out all the goodness in there!

• To store: Put leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
• To freeze: Freeze for up to three months as long as it’s in a freezer-safe container.
• To reheat: If frozen, thaw the leftovers in the fridge overnight first. You can either warm it in the microwave or reheat on a stovetop in a skillet.