Description
Parmesan Lemon Chicken is a flavorful and crispy skillet-cooked dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts coated in a parmesan and herb crust, pan-fried to golden perfection, and finished with a bright lemon zest and juice glaze. This easy-to-make Italian-inspired main course is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, pasta, or a fresh green salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Lemon slices and chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in the Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to help the coating adhere.
- Heat the Pan: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
- Cook Chicken: Place the breaded chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side, or until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
- Add Lemon Flavor: During the last minute of cooking, pour the lemon juice and zest into the pan and spoon it over the chicken to infuse bright citrus flavor.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to lock in juices.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts and garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, substitute half of the Parmesan cheese with panko breadcrumbs.
- Pair this dish with roasted vegetables, pasta, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best bright and tangy flavor.
