Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting classics get a fresh twist. Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken features crispy-skinned chicken thighs nestled in garlicky lemon cream sauce with wilted spinach and parmesan silkiness.

This one-pan wonder serves 4 in 40 minutes perfect weeknight elegance or date night impress.

Why This Recipe Works

Chicken thighs stay juicy through high-heat sear oven finish. Lemon juice cuts rich cream preventing heaviness. Parmesan thickens sauce naturally eliminating flour lumps. Spinach wilts perfectly absorbing flavors without sogginess. Fresh thyme provides aromatic lift balancing garlic dominance.

Ingredients & Prep

4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp lemon pepper, 3 tbsp salted butter divided, 3 garlic cloves minced, ½ cup chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream room temp, ½ cup parmesan grated, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 5 oz baby spinach.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven 400°F. Season chicken salt lemon pepper. Melt 2 tbsp butter large oven-safe skillet medium-high. Sear chicken skin-down 4 minutes golden flip 2 minutes. Remove set aside. Melt remaining butter add garlic 1 minute fragrant. Deglaze broth scraping bits. Stir cream parmesan lemon juice thyme boil then simmer 5 minutes thick. Stir spinach wilt slightly. Nestle chicken back skin-up. Bake 20-25 minutes 165°F internal. Rest 5 minutes.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Refrigerate airtight 4 days. Reheat 300°F covered sauce doesn’t break. Freeze 2 months excellent meal prep.

FAQs

Sauce separate? Room temp cream low simmer. Chicken sticky? Pat dry before seasoning. Too lemony? Start 3 tbsp juice taste.

Conclusion

Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken transforms skillet staples into restaurant magic crispy creamy bright perfection.

Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken delivers golden crispy-skinned thighs swimming in garlicky parmesan cream sauce with bright lemon tang. Silky spinach wilts into sauce creating one-pan dinner perfection. 30-minute weeknight magic transforms simple ingredients into restaurant quality. Ultimate Pinterest cozy dinner board champion.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Oven/Stovetop
• Cuisine: American Comfort

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Chicken & Seasoning:
• 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Creamy Lemon Sauce:
• 3 tbsp salted butter (divided)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 5 oz baby spinach
• Lemon slices for garnish

 

Instructions

• 1. Preheat oven 400°F.
• 2. Pat chicken dry. Season both sides salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder.
• 3. Melt 2 tbsp butter medium-large oven-safe skillet medium-high. Sear chicken skin-down 4 mins golden.
• 4. Flip, sear 2 mins. Remove chicken to plate.
• 5. Reduce heat medium. Melt 1 tbsp butter. Sauté garlic 1 min fragrant.
• 6. Deglaze with broth, scraping browned bits.
• 7. Stir in cream, parmesan, lemon juice, thyme. Simmer 3 mins thickening.
• 8. Add spinach, wilt 1 min.
• 9. Nestle chicken skin-up in sauce. Transfer skillet oven.
• 10. Bake 20-25 mins until 165°F internal. Crispy edges form.
• 11. Rest 5 mins. Garnish lemon slices + thyme sprigs.

Notes

• Bone-in skin-on = crispy juicy perfection.
• Fresh lemon juice = bright acidic balance.
• Room temp cream prevents sauce breaking.
• Deglaze browned bits = flavor foundation.
• One skillet = easy cleanup victory.
• Make ahead: Sauce through spinach, add chicken bake evening.
• Storage: Fridge 3 days. Reheat gentle low heat.
• Low carb: Skip spinach, double cream.
• Serve with: Angel hair pasta, rice, roasted potatoes, crusty bread.
• Serves 4. Cozy weeknight MVP unlocked.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 thigh + ¼ sauce
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 980mg
• Fat: 48g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 220mg

Keywords: creamy lemon butter chicken, lemon cream chicken, one pan chicken thighs, garlic parmesan chicken, spinach lemon chicken