In a dinner rut? I get it. The day is long, you’re hungry, and the last thing you want is a complicated recipe with a mountain of dishes. That’s where this life-changing 20 minute chicken recipe comes in. It’s a complete game-changer for busy weeknights, delivering a dish with buttery, garlicky, and zesty lemon flavors that tastes like it took hours to prepare. You get a restaurant-quality meal on the table faster than you can decide what to order for takeout.
This isn’t just about speed; it’s about smart, efficient cooking that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of flavor. With just a handful of pantry staples and one skillet, you can create a tender, juicy chicken breast dinner smothered in a luscious pan sauce. Let’s get cooking!
Why This 20 Minute Chicken Recipe is a Weeknight Lifesaver
When it comes to fast weeknight meals, this recipe checks all the boxes. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
Unbelievably Fast: From prep to plate, this entire meal is ready in 20 minutes flat. It’s the perfect solution for those hectic evenings.
Minimal Ingredients: It relies on simple, common ingredients you likely already have, like chicken, butter, garlic, and lemon.
One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze. More time eating, less time scrubbing!
Incredibly Flavorful: The simple combination of garlic butter and fresh lemon creates a vibrant, savory sauce that perfectly complements the tender chicken.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. A few quality ingredients are all it takes to create a truly memorable dish.
This simple pan sauce brings all the flavor!
For the Chicken
Chicken Breasts: Two 8-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. This is the key to fast cooking!
All-Purpose Flour: Just a light dusting to create a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken.
Olive Oil & Butter: A combination of extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter provides the best flavor and prevents the butter from burning.
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor.
Chicken Broth: This creates the base of our delicious pan sauce.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds the bright, zesty kick that brings the dish to life.
Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped, for a touch of freshness and color at the end.
How to Make This 20 Minute Chicken Recipe (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps to get this delicious chicken dinner on the table in record time. It’s one of the easiest skillet chicken meals you’ll ever make.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. In a shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Lightly dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and foamy, add the chicken cutlets. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Make the Pan Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
Finish the Dish: Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, until it has slightly reduced. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the fresh parsley. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it warm through for about a minute.
Pro Tips for Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken
Want to ensure your 20 minute chicken recipe is flawless every time? Follow these simple tips.
Getting that perfect golden-brown crust is key to a flavorful chicken dinner.
Use Thin Cutlets: Slicing the chicken breasts in half horizontally is non-negotiable for a 20-minute cook time. It ensures the chicken cooks quickly and evenly.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give the chicken space to sear properly. If you overcrowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of browning, and you’ll miss out on that delicious crust.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice make a world of difference in the final flavor of the sauce. Avoid the bottled stuff if you can.
Check for Doneness: The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). An instant-read thermometer is your best friend for juicy, perfectly cooked chicken.
What to Serve with Your Quick Chicken Dinner
This versatile chicken dish pairs well with almost anything. To keep the meal quick and easy, serve it with steamed vegetables like broccoli or asparagus, a simple side salad, or over pasta or rice to soak up that incredible sauce. For a low-carb option, it’s fantastic with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been sliced in half horizontally to create thin cutlets are the best. They cook quickly and evenly, which is essential for a 20-minute meal.
The most reliable way to check for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. The chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They may take a few minutes longer to cook, so be sure to check the internal temperature to ensure they are cooked through to 165°F (74°C).
If you don’t have chicken broth, you can use a dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio) or even water in a pinch. Using wine will add a slightly different, delicious layer of flavor to the sauce.
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend or cornstarch for dredging the chicken.
More Quick Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this quick and easy meal, you’ll love some of our other speedy dinner solutions. For another fantastic and fast chicken dish, try our 30-Minute Baked Chicken Breast. If you’re in the mood for something with a different flavor profile, this Honey Garlic Chicken is always a huge hit and comes together in no time.
Your New Go-To 20 Minute Chicken Recipe
This 20 minute chicken recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a solution for busy people who still crave delicious, home-cooked food. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of time to create something truly special. Give it a try, and watch it become a staple in your weekly rotation. We know you’ll love it! If you make this recipe, be sure to share it on Pinterest!
This delicious lemon garlic butter chicken is ready in just 20 minutes!
20 Minute Chicken Recipe (Lemon Garlic Butter!)
FL Recipes
20 Minute Chicken Recipe (Lemon Garlic Butter!)
This 20 minute chicken recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal with tender chicken in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce. The perfect one-pan solution for a busy weeknight dinner!
Pat the chicken cutlets dry. In a shallow dish, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Lightly dredge each chicken cutlet in the mixture.
Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits.
Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the remaining 1 tbsp of butter and the fresh parsley. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over top, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalProtein: 40gFat: 20gFiber: 1g
Notes
Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream at the end.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
