Perfectly Crisp Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Crisp lemon butter chicken is a favorite dish for many! The tangy zest of the lemons combined with buttery herbs make this dish simply irresistible. It's perfect as both an appetizer and main course. This dish serves four people, and it will take approximately 45 minutes to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lb chicken breasts
• 2 lemons
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from one lemon)
• Olive oil for frying

Instructions:

Start by preheating your oven to 450°F. Take the chicken breasts and cut them into strips, ensuring they are roughly 1 inch wide and about half an inch thick. Then, in a small bowl, squeeze fresh lemon juice from one of the lemons, add 3 tablespoons of butter, finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and grated zest.

Place these ingredients into a resealable plastic bag and gently press out any air. Add chicken strips to this mixture while shaking the bag until each piece is well-coated in lemon butter sauce. Set aside for about 30 minutes at room temperature so that flavors can meld together.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and allow it to get hot before carefully placing your marinated chicken pieces into the pan. Let them sit undisturbed until they are golden brown on one side; usually, this takes around 5 minutes. Once ready, flip and cook for another five or six more minutes.

Transfer cooked chicken from skillet onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Roast in your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes until internal temperatures reach 165°F (74°C).

To serve, place lemon butter chicken on plates and garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. This dish can be served hot right away; however, leftovers will keep well in a refrigerator for up to four days.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, consider adding green onions or capers to the marinade.
• If you prefer less spicy food, reduce garlic usage slightly.
• Don’t overcook the chicken; it should remain tender yet firm enough not to fall apart easily during serving.

Cooking Time & Servings:

This dish requires approximately 30 minutes of preparation time followed by a total cooking duration of around 25 minutes. As mentioned earlier, it serves four people generously.

Why It’s Special:

The unique combination of lemon and butter creates a delightful balance between the sweet and sour profiles that complement each other beautifully in this dish. The chicken itself becomes tender due to marination and subsequent roasting process which locks in moisture, making it juicy without being greasy.

Moreover, the use of fresh herbs not only enhances flavor but also adds a burst of freshness that elevates any meal into something extraordinary. Whether you're hosting dinner guests or just preparing for yourself on a busy weeknight, this dish proves versatile enough to satisfy all kinds of taste buds!

In conclusion, crisp lemon butter chicken is more than just a recipe—it's an experience that transports diners through the tangy and savory flavors of summer into every bite. Try making it at home tonight and see what I mean; you won’t be disappointed!