Lightening Chicken

Brighten up your dinner table with Lightening Chicken, a fast and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. This recipe transforms juicy, seared boneless chicken breasts into a zesty masterpiece by pairing them with a velvety lemon-garlic sauce enriched with honey and fresh thyme. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a protein-packed dish bursting with citrusy freshness, balanced sweetness, and fragrant herbs. The thickened sauce clings beautifully to the tender chicken, while optional fresh parsley adds a pop of color and flavor. Ideal served over rice, alongside roasted vegetables, or atop a crisp salad, this one-pan recipe is simplicity and elegance rolled into one. Keywords: quick chicken recipes, lemon chicken, easy weeknight meals, skillet chicken, light and healthy dinner ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Pound the chicken breasts to even thickness (about 1/2 inch thick) for even cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 2

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, and fresh thyme to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Slowly pour this into the skillet while stirring continuously. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7

Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let them simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 8

Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately. Pair with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1075.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1540.0

Total Fat 53.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 591.6mg	0%
Sodium 2259.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 32.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.4g	0%
Total Sugars 18.6g
Protein 220.3g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 145.4mg	0%
Iron 8.5mg	0%
Potassium 2157.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.1%

Protein: 59.1%

Carbs: 8.7%