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.
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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 Recipe
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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
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves plus more for garnish
- 5 ounces baby spinach one bag
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- 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.½ cup low sodium chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, ¼ 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 165°F.
- Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or alone. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh thyme. Enjoy!
Traci Tighe says
Hi! How would you make this with chicken breasts? Could it be done with boneless/skinless?
Becky Hardin says
You for sure could! It would be the same process just sear for 3-4 minutes per side and then cook in the oven for 15 minutes or until cooked through (internal temp of 165)
Amy says
I love this chicken! Thanks for the great recipe.
Becky Hardin says
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you love it 🙂
Krissy Allori says
This looks so good! I’m adding it to my menu for next week.
Becky Hardin says
Awesome! xoxo
Kristyn says
I love this recipe!! The hint of lemon & the tender, juicy chicken is so good!! My family loves it!
Becky Hardin says
YAY! Makes me so happy to hear.
Beth Pierce says
WHAT AN AWESOME RECIPE! SERVED THIS FOR DINNER AND IT HAS QUICKLY BECOME A NEW FAMILY FAVORITE RECIPE IN OUR HOME! LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING THIS AGAIN LATER IN THE WEEK!
Becky Hardin says
Best comment ever. Thanks Beth!
Linda says
Hi was just wonder what I can substitute the stock with?
Becky Hardin says
You can use white wine!
Bree says
My family raved about this when we made it this week – and they are picky eaters! Thanks for a winning weeknight meal!
Becky Hardin says
This makes my day to hear! SO HAPPY!
Doral Allen says
Please tell me if the cloves of garlic are whole, smashed, diced, etc. All it says is “3 cloves of garlic.” Thank you.
Becky Hardin says
It should say minced, I’m sorry! Fixing now.
Cheryl says
I made this last night using lite coconut milk in place of the heavy cream since I am lactose sensitive. I also substituted cauliflower for the spinach because that is what I had on hand. We all really enjoyed this recipe.
Becky Hardin says
What great ideas!! I’ll have to try it that way. I absolutely love that!
Jen says
Hi. I found bone in chicken breasts in my freezer. After thawing, and using them in place of the chicken thighs, would the cooking time be less? And the end temp 165? Thanks. I would really love to try this. I don’t have any fresh veggies right now so atill trying to figure that part out!! LOL.
Becky Hardin says
Yes, keep an eye on it and make sure the internal temp is 165F!