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Crispy Brown Butter Garlic Chicken with Lemon

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A quick and easy recipe featuring crispy skin chicken breasts cooked in nutty brown butter with garlic and a bright lemon finish, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts (6–8 oz / 170–225 g each)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 57 g)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme if using. Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  3. Place chicken breasts skin-side down in the pan. Press gently with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook without moving for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp.
  4. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side until internal temperature reaches about 155°F (68°C).
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter to the pan and swirl it around. When butter starts to brown and smell nutty, add minced garlic. Stir quickly while basting chicken for 1-2 minutes, avoiding burning the garlic.
  6. Remove pan from heat briefly. Stir in lemon juice and zest, mixing well with the brown butter and garlic. Return pan to low heat and baste chicken again to coat with lemony butter sauce.
  7. Transfer chicken to a plate and spoon extra sauce over the top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Watch butter carefully to prevent burning; add garlic as soon as butter is golden and nutty. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). If chicken is undercooked after basting, finish in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 3-5 minutes. For dairy-free, substitute vegan butter. Chicken thighs can be used but require longer cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter chicken, garlic chicken, lemon chicken, crispy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, gluten-free

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/crispy-brown-butter-garlic-chicken-with-lemon-easy-recipe-for-perfect-citrus-flavor/