Description
Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken is a rich, one-pan dinner featuring crispy seared chicken thighs in a garlic-lemon cream sauce with fresh spinach. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and elegant enough to serve to guests.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1½ teaspoons garlic paste)
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (at room temperature)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (plus more for garnish)
- 5 ounces baby spinach (about one small bag)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season chicken thighs with salt and lemon pepper.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add chicken skin-side down and sear for 3–4 minutes until golden. Flip and cook the other side for 2–3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Stir in garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, cream, Parmesan, lemon juice, and thyme. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in spinach and let it wilt.
- Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and transfer skillet to the oven.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165–175°F (74–80°C).
- Garnish with lemon slices and thyme. Serve hot over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Use boneless thighs or chicken breasts with adjusted cook time.
- To lighten the sauce, swap cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- Add lemon zest for extra citrus flavor.
- Use dried thyme if fresh isn’t available (½ teaspoon dried).
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up extra sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop + Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
