Italian Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless pieces that serve as the main protein for the dish.

All-purpose flour: Used to dredge the chicken, giving it a light, crispy coating when cooked.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the seasoning.

Butter: Divided into portions, it adds richness and helps create the sauce.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken, it adds a subtle fruity flavor.

Chicken broth: Forms the base of the sauce, adding savory depth.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright, tangy flavor.

Garlic: Minced cloves that add aromatic depth to the sauce.

Capers: Provide a tangy, briny contrast to the rich butter sauce.

Parsley: Chopped fresh for a vibrant garnish that adds color and freshness.

When dredging the chicken breasts in flour, make sure to shake off any excess to avoid a gummy texture. This step ensures a light, crispy coating that will brown beautifully in the skillet. Additionally, when adding the garlic to the hot butter and olive oil, be careful not to let it burn, as burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the sauce. Instead, cook it just until fragrant before adding the chicken broth and lemon juice.

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, making them a great alternative.

• All-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can provide a similar thickening effect and is gluten-free.

• Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a similar salty flavor with an additional umami depth.

• Freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to avoid black specks in the dish.

• Butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and a richer, nuttier flavor.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it suitable for cooking.

• Chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly option.

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor.

• Minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though it has a slightly different flavor profile.

• Drained capers - Substitute with green olives: Green olives offer a similar briny flavor and can add a bit of texture.

• Chopped parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor that can complement the dish.

• Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.
• Transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The lemon butter sauce will keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
• For freezing, place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Freeze for up to 2-3 months. The lemon juice in the sauce helps preserve the chicken.
• To reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
• Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce is too thick.
• Alternatively, reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
• Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to refresh the flavors.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover Italian Lemon Butter Chicken in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a splash of chicken broth or lemon juice to keep the chicken moist.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent the chicken from drying out.
  5. Heat in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter.
  2. Place the leftover Italian Lemon Butter Chicken in the skillet.
  3. Add a few tablespoons of chicken broth to the skillet to create steam and keep the chicken moist.
  4. Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover Italian Lemon Butter Chicken on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or lemon juice to keep the chicken moist.
  3. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe cover or another plate to trap steam.
  4. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the leftover Italian Lemon Butter Chicken in a vacuum-sealed bag or a ziplock bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 45 minutes.
  4. Remove from the bag and serve immediately for perfectly reheated, juicy chicken.

• Large skillet: A wide, flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the chicken breasts and making the sauce.

• Tongs: Useful for flipping the chicken breasts while cooking to ensure even browning.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the flour, chicken broth, and lemon juice.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the salt, pepper, and capers.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping parsley and mincing garlic.

• Chef's knife: Ideal for chopping parsley and mincing garlic efficiently.

• Juicer: Handy for extracting fresh lemon juice.

• Small bowl: Useful for mixing the flour with salt and pepper for dredging the chicken.

• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring the sauce and ensuring it doesn't stick to the skillet.

• Plate: Needed for setting aside the cooked chicken breasts temporarily.

• Paper towels: Useful for patting the chicken breasts dry before seasoning and dredging.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure and prepare all ingredients before starting to cook. This will streamline the cooking process and prevent any delays.

Use thin chicken breasts: Thinly slice or pound the chicken breasts to ensure they cook faster and more evenly.

Minced garlic in advance: Mince the garlic ahead of time and store it in the fridge to save a few minutes during cooking.

Simmer sauce while cooking chicken: Start simmering the sauce while the chicken is cooking to save time and enhance flavor.

Use pre-squeezed lemon juice: Opt for pre-squeezed lemon juice to cut down on preparation time.