Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken
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Creamy lemon butter chicken: are there four more beautiful words in the English language? I don’t think there are!
This is the kind of recipe that everyone will love—from young kids to your mother-in-law!
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Best of all, it’s something that can be paired with just about any side you have lying around, but I’m partial to mashed potatoes.
Ready to make the best lemon butter chicken you’ve ever tasted together? Let’s get started!
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Why I love Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken?
This lemon butter chicken recipe is easy to make but tastes like heaven. That’s what we like to refer to as low input, high output! I’ve never met anyone that doesn’t love a fantastic creamy lemon butter chicken dish. Your family is sure to ask for seconds!
Can you use milk instead of cream in butter chicken?
While you can use milk instead of cream in your lemon butter chicken recipe if you’re in a pinch, keep in mind that your sauce will be thinner. This will be just fine if you don’t mind a thin sauce and have something like potatoes or rice on the side to soak up the juice.
Why is my butter chicken so watery?
There are few reasons that your creamy lemon butter chicken could be looking more like watery lemon butter chicken! Check to make sure you used only 1 cup of heavy whipping cream. If your sauce is too watery, you can separate it from your chicken and reduce on medium heat for around 15 minutes.
Does sauce thicken with the lid on or off?
Sauce thickens most quickly with the lid off. That said, the quickest way to thicken your sauce is to pull a combination of the two moves: get the sauce as hot as you can without scalding it while the lid is on, then allow the moisture to leave by lifting off the lid.
How to serve Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken?
As we discussed above, I think that creamy lemon butter chicken is at its best with a side that can soak up some of its sauce! Mashed potatoes are the classic side choice. Rice is a great next best, too!
Tips:
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is fully cooked before removing from the oven
- If you’re using frozen chicken, thaw the night before or the morning that you’ll be cooking
- Bake for just the right amount of time—overcooking your chicken will make it dry and chewy!
Ingredients:
- Bone in skin on chicken thighs
- Salt
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Butter divided
- Minced garlic
- Chicken broth
- Heavy whipping cream
- Parmesan cheese grated
- Lemon Juice
- Thyme dried
- Baby spinach fresh
- Lemon slices for garnish
How To Make Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken:
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step 2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and lemon pepper seasoning.
Step 3. Place 2 Tbsp of the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 4. Add the chicken skin side down, and sear for several minutes on each side until browned. Remove and set aside.
Step 5. Melt the remaining tbsp of butter in the skillet and add the garlic. Stir to combine and saute for 30 seconds.
Step 6. Whisk in the chicken broth and lemon juice to deglaze the skillet.
Step 7. Stir in the heavy whipping cream and thyme. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
Step 8. Mix in the parmesan cheese and then return the chicken to the skillet.
Return the chicken to the skillet,
Step 9. Bake for 20 minutes.
Step 10. Remove the skillet from the oven and add the spinach. Place a lid on the skillet until the spinach is wilted. Stir to combine.
Step 11. Serve with lemon slices or garnish.
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Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 Bone in skin on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Lemon pepper seasoning
- 3 Tbsp. Butter divided
- 3 tsp. Minced garlic
- ½ C. Chicken broth
- 1 C. Heavy whipping cream
- ½ C. Parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ C. Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp. Thyme dried
- 5 oz. Baby spinach fresh
- Lemon slices for garnish
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and lemon pepper seasoning.
- Place 2 Tbsp of the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the chicken skin side down, and sear for several minutes on each side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Melt the remaining tbsp of butter in the skillet and add the garlic. Stir to combine and saute for 30 seconds.
- Whisk in the chicken broth and lemon juice to deglaze the skillet.
- Stir in the heavy whipping cream and thyme. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Mix in the parmesan cheese and then return the chicken to the skillet.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and add the spinach. Place a lid on the skillet until the spinach is wilted. Stir to combine.
- Serve with lemon slices or garnish.
Nutrition
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How to store Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken?
Once cooked, your creamy lemon butter chicken should be served immediately. It should be stored in the fridge no later than two hours after serving. Leftover chicken should be stores in the fridge at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit in an airtight container.
How to reheat Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken?
Creamy lemon butter chicken can be reheated and enjoyed again as leftovers (leftovers that your family will actually be excited for!) Just pop a plate (or bowl) of creamy lemon butter chicken in the microwave for around 1 minute and 30 seconds. If you have a bit more time to spare, it’s even tastier rewarmed in the oven at 400 degrees for around 15 minutes.
How much does Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken last on the fridge?
Your cooked creamy lemon butter chicken will last in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days if properly stored. Don’t forget to label your container with the name of the dish and the date and time that it was originally prepared.
Can I make ahead Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken?
You can make creamy lemon butter chicken ahead of schedule if you’re expecting guests. Make sure to serve your dish within around 3 days of cooking!
Related Recipes You Might Enjoy:
We know you’ll love this creamy lemon butter chicken recipe! Once your family has tried it, come back for more easy and delicious dinners. Here are some similar recipes you may enjoy:
Crockpot Creamy Chicken Nachos: What’s better than dinner in the crockpot? Creamy chicken nachos are going to be a weeknight favorite!
Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken: This delicious all-season dish pairs well with just about anything.
Creamy Lemon Instant Pot Chicken Piccata Recipe: You don’t need to study under an Italian chef to whip up a delicious Piccata. Let’s make this tasty creamy lemon chicken piccata recipe together right in the instant pot!
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole: Easy to make, easy to eat: this creamy chicken and rice casserole bring the flavor and fires on all cylinders!
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