This lemon pepper chicken with butter sauce is a simple recipe that’s ready in just 20 minutes! The perfect dinner for a busy weeknight.
I’m back with another chicken recipe – because really, is there ever such a thing as too many chicken recipes?! This lemon pepper chicken recipe is on the table in 20 minutes, perfect for those nights where you need dinner on the table ASAP. You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry to make it tonight!
One thing to take note of: all lemon pepper seasoning is not created equal. When I purchased my lemon pepper for this recipe, I read the ingredients of 4 different brands and they varied quite a bit. Some lemon pepper brands contain salt, others use citric acid instead of actual lemon peel, and some even use yellow food coloring! I recommend looking for a more natural ingredient list, to me citric acid isn’t a great substitute for real lemon peel.
This lemon pepper chicken has a light breading on it, which comes out a deep golden brown when sauteed in a little olive oil. The butter sauce is optional, but it really adds a nice finishing touch and takes just a few minutes to make. I like to serve this chicken over rice or pasta with a green veggie on the side for a complete meal.
I’ve made this lemon pepper chicken countless times over the past few months, even my kids love it! I hope your family enjoys this dinner as much as we do.
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More chicken recipes
- Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
- Bacon Ranch Chicken
- Firecracker Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Chicken Ranch Tacos
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 thin cut boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning or more to taste
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Mix together the flour, lemon pepper seasoning and salt to taste. Pour the flour mixture onto a plate or into a shallow bowl.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat.
- Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, turning to coat evenly.
- Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes per side or until done.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and place on a plate. Cover to keep warm.
- Melt the butter in the pan, and whisk in the lemon juice. Season with salt to taste.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Crissy says
This dish was so simple and delicious! Tons of flavor, and the flour helped keep the chicken tender! Will make again!
Kristen says
Could you make this without the flour? For health purposes?
Sara says
Yes you can omit the breading and simply sear the chicken.
Patrick Schumacher says
I love chicken. I heard a lot about the dish lemon pepper chicken. It also look delicious. i must try to make it. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Shelby Hall says
LOVE this recipe! Can I share the link to this page from my Blog? Putting together a fast, easy & delicious dinners for working moms blog post together. Here is a link to my blog https://www.shelbyshousehunt.com/blog
Sara says
Sure that’s fine!
SHOBEILOVE says
I made this last week and we loved it! It is so simple and so yummy! Making it again this week. 🙂 I love this. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Shae says
We absolutley love this recipe but i was wondering if you could bake this instead. Thanks
Sara says
I’ve never tried baking it, only because you kind of need to sear the chicken to get a crispy browned crust. You might be able to try brushing it with butter or oil and baking it at high heat to try and get a browned exterior. Hope that helps!
Amanda says
Do you drain the oil from frying the chicken before adding the butter or leave it?
Sara says
Either way is fine, there’s usually not a lot of oil left over!
Emily says
Could this be cooked in the oven instead?
Sara says
You could sear it on the stove then cook it in the oven to finish it, but if you just put it in the oven the crust won’t brown.
Stephanie says
I tried this with the chicken breasts and LOVED IT!!!! Actually did my own version or lemon pepper flavoring with lemon juice and pepper jsut because I didnt have the seasoning and it came out amazing…however, do you think the same technique can be sued with chicken legs? (extra cook time of course)
Sara says
I think it could work, just maybe sear the outsides of the legs and them put the pan in the oven to bake so that the chicken will cook through all the way!
Sarah says
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. My picky eaters gave it two thumbs up. My little one even asked if I would make it again on her birthday, which is right around the corner!
Tamara says
My family says “THANK YOU”, they fell in love with chicken!!! I give you ????????????????!
Kim Gilmore says
I need to tell you how simply outstanding this dish was last night. My whole family loved it and begged for me to add it to the regular rotation. Thank you so much for this simple, elegant dish. It is beautiful when it’s served atop pasta. I served it with a creamy garlic pasta and veggies. YUM!!! You’re amazing.
Raelene says
What if you don’t have lrmon juice? Can you substitute with squishing else? Or just skip the olive oil and lemon juice mixture?
Sara says
The chicken is still delicious as is without the lemon sauce!
Amanda says
I rarely leave comments but this was AMAZING. I was looking for quick easy recipes and stumbled upon this one! Pair it with green beans and it’s a fantastic quick and easy meal!
Sara says
SO glad you liked it, thanks for reporting back!
Beatrice says
Another easy recipe which I love!
Amy says
This was quick easy and taste amazing! Thank you for posting.
Michelle says
Getting ready to make this. In the directions it mentions butter but butter is not in the list of ingredients?
Michelle says
Nevermind computer acting up i see it now.
Greg says
Wonderful combination of flavors. You can almost taste the chicken with the beautiful close up pictures!
HUGO ROHLAND says
Sara a perfect reminder to prepare this perfect lovely food. Well get well all of you and I pray YOUR Thanksgiving will be perfect and blessed this season!
Sara says
Thanks so much Hugo, I appreciate the kind words!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Lemon chicken is one of my favourite meals and I’m always looking for new ways to cook it up. Love this version! Simply perfect 🙂
Linda at Mixed Kreations says
This recipe looks delicious! We eat lots of chicken, and I always love new recipes that are quick and easy. I think that I have all the ingredients on hand. But I guess I need to look at my lemon pepper and see what’s in it. Thanks for sharing!
Ruth Grove says
True Lemon is the best! It’s crystallized lemon, pepper, and garlic. Amazing flavor.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I believe this is the perfect weeknight meal Sara! LOVE lemon pepper and moist tender, easy chicken. Thanks so much.