Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken is crispy, juicy chicken in a rich, tangy sauce. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to a creamy sauce is cooking the chicken separately. It’s better than takeout and ready in 30 minutes. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Steak Cheese Quesadillas Recipe for Quick Dinner and Easy Tomato and White Bean Soup with Garlic Toast.
Why This Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy chicken skin with juicy meat
- Rich, tangy, and creamy sauce
- Ready in 30 minutes, better than takeout
- Easy cleanup with one-pan cooking
What You'll Need for Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic
- Lemon zest and juice
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Thin them to 1-inch for even cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food thermometer — Ensures chicken is cooked to 165°F → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents chicken from sticking and burning → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
- Prepare chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, lemon zest, and juice. Simmer until thickened.
- Bake: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over it. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken in the oven. It's already cooked on the stove. Watch the time and use a thermometer.
- Pro tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water before adding to the skillet.
- Pro tip: For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the skillet with the garlic.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Bake when ready to serve.
Freezing Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for even more flavor and crispiness.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken broth with white wine for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Bake when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer or thicken with cornstarch.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and baking → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Lemon zest and juice
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, lemon zest, and juice. Simmer until thickened.
- Bake: Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over it. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for even more flavor and crispiness.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken broth with white wine for a richer flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Bake when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer or thicken with cornstarch.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Bake when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 38g
- Carbs: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Cholesterol: 155mg
- Sat. Fat: 23g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Overcooking is the most common reason. Use a thermometer and watch the time.
No, this recipe is best made on the stove and in the oven.
Yes, cook the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, then proceed with the sauce and baking.
Try Easy Steak Cheese Quesadillas or Easy Tomato and White Bean Soup with Garlic Toast.
Yes, prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Bake when ready to serve.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Baked Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
