Name: Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon garlic, minced; Red pepper flakes to taste

If you're craving a rich, flavorful dinner that comes together quickly, this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe is an absolute winner. Tangy lemon, fragrant garlic, and velvety cream make the sauce irresistible — trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your regular lineup.

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 remember the first time I made this chicken with lemon garlic cream sauce—it felt fancy but was actually so simple. The combination of bright citrus and creamy garlic sauce totally transforms humble chicken breasts into something wildly comforting and satisfying.

Quick & Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or when you want impressive dinner without fuss.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: Creamy yet tangy sauce with a touch of honey and a subtle kick from red pepper flakes—everyone loves it!
Simple Ingredients: No complicated shopping list—just pantry staples and fresh chicken.
Versatile Meal: Works beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted veggies, so you can switch it up anytime.

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

This recipe thrives because each ingredient plays a starring role in balancing richness and brightness. The lemon juice cuts through the cream, garlic brings warmth, and honey adds just the right touch of sweetness to round it all out.

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

Chicken breasts: Pounding them thin helps with even cooking; juicy but cooks quickly.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create a lovely golden sear on the chicken.
Olive oil: Prevents butter from burning and adds depth of flavor.
Chicken broth: The base of the sauce adds savory notes without heaviness.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best here—bright and tangy to balance cream.
Honey: Just a touch to soften lemon’s acidity and round out flavors.
Garlic: Minced finely for maximum flavor and aroma within the sauce.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but I like the gentle heat that gives some excitement to the creaminess.
Heavy cream: The finishing touch that makes the sauce silky and luscious.

📝

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

I love tweaking this chicken with lemon garlic cream sauce recipe depending on what I’m in the mood for or what I have on hand. You can easily amp up the garlic if you’re feeling bold or swap honey for maple syrup for a twist.

Variation: I once added sautéed mushrooms to the sauce—it turned it into an even heartier meal that everyone raved about. Give it a try if you want to boost umami.
Dietary Preferences: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but keep in mind the sauce will be thinner.
Spice it Up: Adding a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne gives a nice background heat without overwhelming the lemony freshness.

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

Step 1: Prep and Pound the Chicken

First things first: place your chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper, then gently pound them to about ½ inch thickness. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. I like to use a meat mallet or even a rolling pin if you don’t have one handy.

Step 2: Season and Sear

Pat the chicken dry to get a nice brown crust, and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat your skillet over medium-high and melt the butter along with the olive oil—this combo keeps the butter from burning. Lay the chicken in and let it sear undisturbed for about 5 minutes until golden. Flip, lower the heat to medium, cover the pan, and cook for about 10 minutes until the center hits 165°F.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and set aside. Into the same skillet, pour chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom—they add so much flavor! Let the sauce simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.

Step 4: Add Cream and Finish

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, blending until the sauce turns luxuriously smooth. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over it, and warm it all together briefly. Then it’s ready to serve!

Top Tip

When I first tried this recipe, I struggled with overcooked chicken. The key is to pound the breasts evenly and use medium heat after searing to cook through without drying out.

Even Thickness Matters: Make sure your chicken pieces are uniformly pounded so they cook at the same rate.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Scraping the browned bits off the pan adds deep flavor—don’t skip this step!
Control the Heat: After searing, lower to medium and cover to finish cooking gently to prevent dryness.
Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the best way to ensure perfect doneness without guesswork.

How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil for a pop of green and a fresh bite that complements the creamy sauce. Lemon wedges are a must—squeezing a bit more lemon juice at the table brightens everything beautifully.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides include garlic mashed potatoes or herbed rice — both soak up that amazing lemon garlic sauce. Sometimes, I stir-fry green beans or roast asparagus on the side to add a vibrant crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I plate the chicken sliced atop a bed of creamy risotto, spoon the sauce artistically around, and garnish with edible flowers or microgreens. It looks gourmet but is surprisingly fuss-free.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce actually gets more infused in flavor overnight, making the next day’s meal even better.

Freezing

This chicken and sauce freeze well, but I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately if possible. When reheating, thaw overnight in the fridge to preserve texture and flavor.

Reheating

Warm leftovers gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the cream sauce from splitting. Adding a splash of chicken broth or cream during reheating helps keep the sauce silky smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes! You can use bone-in chicken breasts, but cooking time will increase. Make sure to check for an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. You might need to cover and cook a bit longer after searing.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you want a lighter sauce, half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk can work as substitutes, though the sauce will be less thick and rich. For dairy-free, try using a cashew cream substitute.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! This naturally gluten-free recipe contains no flour or gluten ingredients. Just make sure to use a gluten-free chicken broth to keep it safe.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling?

Cook the sauce over low heat once you add the cream and avoid boiling it. Stir gently and gradually incorporate the cream to keep the sauce smooth and velvety without separating.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my meal rotation because it’s both comforting and elegant without taking hours. When I serve it to friends, they’re always surprised it was so easy to pull off. I hope you find the same joy in cooking and sharing it—you won’t regret giving it a whirl.