Print

Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken 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.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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