If you’ve ever wanted a dinner that feels fancy but comes together without fuss, this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe is your new best friend. Juicy chicken breasts meet a bright, creamy sauce that’s bursting with zesty lemon and comforting garlic — perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests. Stick with me and I’ll show you exactly how to nail it every time!

Lemon Garlic Chicken - The image shows three pieces of cooked chicken placed on a white bowl, each piece topped with a small slice of lemon. The chicken is covered with a light brown sauce that looks shiny and smooth, with bits of black pepper and small green herbs scattered on top. The sauce pools around the chicken pieces, adding a glossy finish. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe because it balances comfort and sophistication in a way that feels casual yet special. It’s one of those meals that fills the kitchen with incredible aromas and makes everyone ask for seconds — always a win!

Fast and Easy: You’ll have dinner on the table in about 20 minutes, with minimal prep and simple ingredients.
Flavor Packed: The lemon juice adds brightness while garlic and cream create a rich, luscious sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
Healthy-ish Comfort Food: Lean chicken breasts and a sauce that feels indulgent but is made with wholesome ingredients.
Versatile Dish: Pairs well with so many sides — think rice, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.

Lemon Garlic Chicken - The image shows several cooked chicken pieces, each topped with a small lemon slice and sprinkled with chopped green herbs. The chicken has a shiny, slightly browned surface with a light golden color and some black pepper visible. There is a light sauce around the chicken, which adds a glossy look and pools gently under the pieces. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe plays a crucial role in creating a harmony of flavors and textures. Here’s why I love each of these components and some tips to help you pick the best ones at the store.

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Flat lay of four plump, raw boneless skinless chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, fresh bright yellow lemon halves and wedges showing juicy pulp, a small pile of finely minced white garlic cloves, a few dollops of rich golden butter, glossy green sprigs of fresh parsley, a small heap of golden honey glistening under the light, scattered red pepper flakes adding tiny red specks, and a thin stream of clear golden olive oil arranged naturally with soft shadows, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They cook quickly and absorb the sauce beautifully—just make sure to pound them to even thickness for perfect cooking.
Butter: Adds richness and helps get a lovely golden sear on the chicken.
Olive oil: Keeps the butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity note.
Heavy cream: Creates that dreamy, silky sauce texture that balances out the lemon's acidity.
Chicken broth: Forms the sauce base with savory depth without overpowering the lemon and garlic.
Lemon juice: Brings fresh, vibrant acidity to brighten the entire dish.
Honey: Just a touch to mellow out the lemon and garlic, giving the sauce a wonderful balance.
Garlic (minced): The star aromatic—you want to be generous here for true flavor impact.
Red pepper flakes: Adds a subtle heat that wakes up your taste buds without overpowering the sauce.
Salt & pepper: Basic but essential—season well at every step for maximum flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often switch up the garnishes or add a few herbs based on what I have on hand, and it's equally delicious every time.

Variation: I like to add fresh thyme or rosemary to the sauce when I want a more herbal, earthy flavor—just toss it in while the sauce simmers.
Spice it up: If you love heat, double the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne for a little kick.
Dairy-free option: Swap the heavy cream for coconut cream for a dairy-free twist that’s still creamy and indulgent.
Go gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so no worries there!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

First, I wrap each chicken breast in plastic wrap and pound them out to about ½ inch thickness. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Pat them dry to get a nice sear, then season both sides generously with salt and fresh cracked pepper—don’t be shy here, seasoning early deepens the flavor.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. The butter adds richness and browns beautifully, but the olive oil helps prevent it from burning. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Let them cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes until you get a gorgeous golden crust—this is the flavor jackpot. Lower the heat to medium, flip, then cover the pan and cook for about 10 more minutes till the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Removing them promptly helps avoid drying out.

Step 3: Whip Up the Sauce

While the chicken rests, combine the chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in the skillet. Scrape up those delicious browned bits stuck to the pan—they’re bursting with flavor. Let the sauce simmer and thicken for about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the heavy cream, which immediately transforms it into a silky, tangy dream.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Return the chicken to the skillet and gently spoon the luscious sauce over the top to coat everything beautifully. I like to let it sit for a minute or two on low heat so the sauce seeps into the chicken. Serve it up hot with some fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley if you like a pop of green.

Top Tip

From my experience making this recipe repeatedly, there are a few little things that make a huge difference in hitting that ideal creamy, tangy sauce and perfectly juicy chicken. These tips helped me avoid common pitfalls and make this dish a regular favorite.

Don’t skip pounding the chicken: This ensures even cooking and keeps the chicken tender instead of drying out.
Use a mix of butter and olive oil: Pure butter can burn too fast; olive oil balances flavor and heat tolerance.
Scrape those brown bits: They’re full of flavor and essential to making the sauce rich and complex.
Simmer the sauce gently: Too high heat can break the cream and make it grainy; keep it low and slow for silky smoothness.

How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish this dish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and a little freshness that cuts through the richness. Lemon wedges are a must—they allow everyone to add an extra zing of lemony brightness if they want. Sometimes I toss on a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for a cheesy twist.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this with simple sides that soak up the sauce. Garlic mashed potatoes are a classic for me, but creamy risotto or a bed of fluffy rice works beautifully too. For veggies, roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad keeps things balanced and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

When I serve this recipe for dinner guests, I like to plate the chicken on a pool of sauce with lemon zest sprinkled over top. Adding a few edible flowers or microgreens really ups the wow factor. You can also arrange the chicken slices fanned out with sauce drizzled artfully—simple but elegant!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After dinner, I cool the chicken and sauce completely, then store them together in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to three days, and the flavors actually deepen overnight — bonus! Just give it a quick stir before reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times with decent results. Use freezer-safe containers, and separate chicken breasts if you want to thaw portions individually. Just note, the cream sauce may separate a bit after thawing, but a gentle whisk over low heat usually brings it back together.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid microwaving if you can, as it can overcook the chicken and make it tough.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add more fat and flavor but cook slightly differently. Reduce cooking time since thighs may cook faster, and watch for internal temperature to avoid drying out.

How do I tell when the chicken is done?

The best way is to use a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should be 165°F. If you don’t have one, cut into the thickest part and check that the juices run clear with no pinkness.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

You can make the sauce ahead and reheat it gently when ready. Just be sure to add the cream at the end when reheating for best texture and flavor.

What’s the best side dish to serve with this recipe?

I recommend mashed potatoes, plain rice, or roasted vegetables as fantastic partners—they soak up the sauce wonderfully and keep the meal balanced.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s approachable, comforting, and endlessly satisfying. I hope you’ll try it and discover just how simple it is to create something so delicious with just a handful of ingredients. Trust me, this one will quickly earn a spot in your dinner rotation – it’s like a warm hug on a plate!