Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken is an easy dinner that’s cooked on the stovetop before being baked in the oven, all in one pan! Chicken thighs are cooked to tender perfection in a flavorful lemon and garlic cream sauce with spinach. It’s both simple and flavor-packed!
What’s in this Lemon Butter Chicken recipe
This recipe features a handful of simple, inexpensive, and delicious ingredients that you likely already have on hand. The creamy lemon butter sauce is the star of this show!
- Chicken Thighs: For this one pan recipe, I like to use bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs for the juiciest results.
- Lemon Pepper: This adds a bright, peppery flavor!
- Butter: Salted butter will lend the most flavor.
- Garlic: You’ll need both fresh garlic cloves and garlic paste for this garlicky chicken dinner.
- Chicken Broth: This helps fill out the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This is what creates the creamy consistency of the lemon butter sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: For the best flavor and consistency, use freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Lemon Juice: I always recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice over anything from a bottle, especially when it’s such a key ingredient like it is here.
- Salt: Kosher salt is better to use for this recipe than iodized.
- Thyme: Fresh thyme creates a subtle herbaceous flavor. Use it as a garnish as well to really send this dish over the top.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh spinach is preferred over canned or frozen.
Pro Tip: If you prefer chicken breast, try this baked lemon butter chicken recipe instead.
What else can I add?
Craving even more lemon butter flavor with this chicken? Feel free to sprinkle in some lemon zest, either with the seasonings, or on top of the chicken as a garnish (or both). You can also mix in some greens like kale and/or arugula with the spinach if you really want to enhance the nutrients in this recipe.
The safest answer is to always check the temperature of the meat. Once a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165°F, you know the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
Yes! For best results, crisp up the skin of the chicken thighs on your stovetop before transferring the skillet to the oven so the chicken can cook through all the way. It’ll turn out deliciously juicy and tender this way.
Yes, but your sauce won’t be as creamy or thick.
How to Store and Reheat
Once it’s cooled to room temperature, you can store your leftover lemon butter chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or back in the oven until warmed through.
I don’t recommend freezing this dish because the cream sauce doesn’t hold up well once frozen.
What to Serve with Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs
Rice, pasta, and veggies of all kinds pair fabulously with this creamy lemon butter chicken! I usually serve it over some form of rice or pasta to help absorb all of that lemony, garlicky cream sauce!
Creamy Lemon Butter Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 3 tablespoons salted butter divided
- 3 cloves minced garlic or 1.5 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves plus more for garnish
- 5 ounces baby spinach one bag
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Place chicken thighs in a bowl and add salt and lemon pepper. Toss to combine. Set aside.4 chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- Heat a medium/large skillet (oven safe) over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and allow to melt, making sure the entire base of the skillet is coated.3 tablespoons salted butter
- Add the chicken, skin side down, and sear for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and sear other side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Return skillet to the heat and add additional 1 tablespoon butter. Allow to melt, stirring and deglazing the pan.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.3 cloves minced garlic
- Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan, lemon juice, and thyme. Stir to fully combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- Allow sauce to thicken for 5 minutes and then stir in spinach leaves.5 ounces baby spinach
- Stir to wilt leaves slightly but not fully.
- Add chicken back to skillet and bake the entire pan in the oven for 25 minutes or until internal chicken temperature reaches 165F.
- Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or alone. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh thyme. Enjoy!
NANCY BACKHAUS says
My husband loves chicken in just about any preparation. He has deemed this dish his very favorite of all. We ate it over Basmati rice. Very good!!
Becky Hardin says
Love the addition!
Marissa says
Was so yummy, my husband and I loved it especially the lemony flavour. Mine didn’t turn out as lovely and golden as yours but they may be because I didn’t brown it enough in the beginning. Will definitely be making this again!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for sharing, Marissa!
Jenny G says
My entire family loved this dish!! The chicken was delicious. I doubled the recipe for my family of 5. I had 1 problem. When it went into the oven the sauce looked like yours. When I took it out it had separated. Any ideas of what I may have done wrong? No matter what I am making this again. My husband even said “this is a keeper” 🙂
Becky Hardin says
It’s the cream and oil separating. It can be finicky if not carefully combined!
Megan says
Can you explain how to “carefully combine?” Mine also separated. Thanks!
Becky Hardin says
You do not want to overheat it!
Kelly Young says
This was so good! I only had boneless, skinless thighs so only cooked for 20 minutes in the oven. They turned out perfect. I had to add a tiny bit of cornstarch slurry (like 1 tsp of cornstarch) but otherwise following the recipe exactly. Served with angel hair pasta. SO GOOD!
Becky Hardin says
I love to hear that!
Devon Harty says
I love the recipe but wonder is there a way to make it without the same fat content? It’s super high in sodium and saturated fat. 🙁 feeling guilty about serving it.
Annette says
It was delicious will definitely make it again, we had it with rice
Becky Hardin says
Sounds like a great meal, Annette!
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Erika Reyes says
I can’t get enough of this recipe! I buy the pack of organic chicken thighs boneless and skinless from Costco and it still works great. I do two pans on two burners and double the recipe! Love it! And it’s keto friendly. Extra spinach for me, and rice for my hubby!
Becky Hardin says
That sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing, Erika!
Helen says
Can I make this recipe in the oven, I don’t have skillet.
I enjoy your recipes.
Becky Hardin says
Yes! I do also have a baked lemon chicken recipe (click here) if you’re interested!