Creamy Lemon Herb Parmesan Chicken Recipe
Creamy Lemon Herb Parmesan Chicken is a flavorful and rich skillet dish featuring organic chicken breasts seared to perfection, then simmered in a luscious creamy lemon Tuscan sauce infused with garlic, fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, and kale. This hearty meal blends aromatic Tuscan spices with tangy lemon and smooth cream to create a comforting yet elegant dinner perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Tuscan Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
- 1 cup organic chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons white cooking wine
- 4 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup chopped kale
- ½ lemon, sliced thin (skin on)
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cleaned and rinsed chicken breasts with sea salt, black pepper, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is evenly coated in the seasoning mix. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors penetrate.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a 12-inch large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the unsalted butter and melt completely. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and sear each side for 3-4 minutes or until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Make the Creamy Lemon Tuscan Sauce: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and warm it up. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared Tuscan seasoning blend until well combined. Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly pour in the heavy cream, chicken stock, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and white cooking wine. Stir continuously until the mixture is integrated and begins to gently bubble, about 1-2 minutes.
- Thicken the Sauce: Gradually whisk in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the cheese has melted completely and the sauce thickens slightly, roughly 2-3 minutes. Add the thinly sliced lemon with skin on and stir them into the sauce to infuse brightness.
- Incorporate the Kale and Return Chicken: Stir in the chopped kale until evenly mixed into the sauce. Return the rested chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Let everything simmer together on low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and spooning the sauce over the chicken. This will ensure the chicken is cooked through, tender, and flavorful.
- Serve: Remove from heat once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened to your liking. Serve hot alongside your favorite sides such as rice, pasta, or vegetables. Garnish with additional freshly grated parmesan cheese for an extra cheesy finish if desired. Bon Appetit!
Notes
- Store any leftovers in a tightly sealed container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Feel free to add other greens like spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus to increase flavor and nutrition.
- Leftover Tuscan seasoning blend can be kept in a ziplock bag or jar for future use or as a garnish.
- To make a dairy-free version, substitute unsalted butter with vegan butter, heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream, and parmesan with dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast.
Keywords: Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken, Parmesan Chicken, Tuscan Chicken, Healthy Chicken Dinner, One Pan Chicken Recipe