If you're craving something bright, creamy, and packed with flavor, you're going to adore this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe. It’s simple to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—perfect for impressing family or treating yourself on a weeknight!

lemon garlic chicken - The image shows three pieces of cooked chicken placed on a white bowl, each piece topped with a small slice of lemon. The chicken is covered with a light brown sauce that looks shiny and smooth, with bits of black pepper and small green herbs scattered on top. The sauce pools around the chicken pieces, adding a glossy finish. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes when I want something comforting but fresh. The creamy lemony sauce really brightens up the tender chicken, and the garlic adds just the right kick without overpowering.

Simple Ingredients: You only need a handful of pantry staples to whip this up—no fancy stuff required.
Quick to Make: From start to finish in about 20 minutes, making it perfect when you don’t want to spend forever cooking.
Versatile Flavors: The combo of lemon, garlic, and cream balances beautifully, appealing to a wide range of tastes.
Comfort Food Vibes: It’s creamy and cozy but still fresh and vibrant—ideal for any season.

lemon garlic chicken - The image shows several cooked chicken pieces, each topped with a small lemon slice and sprinkled with chopped green herbs. The chicken has a shiny, slightly browned surface with a light golden color and some black pepper visible. There is a light sauce around the chicken, which adds a glossy look and pools gently under the pieces. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This dish comes together from simple, familiar ingredients that harmonize perfectly. The richness of butter and cream is cut through by the brightness of fresh lemon juice and the savory depth of garlic. Plus, a touch of honey gives the sauce just a hint of sweetness to round it all out.

lemon garlic chicken - Flat lay of four plump, raw boneless skinless chicken breasts with smooth pale pink skin, fresh bright yellow lemon halves and wedges showing juicy pulp, a small pile of finely minced white garlic cloves, a few dollops of rich golden butter, glossy green sprigs of fresh parsley, a small heap of golden honey glistening under the light, scattered red pepper flakes adding tiny red specks, and a thin stream of clear golden olive oil arranged naturally with soft shadows, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless work best for even cooking and fast prep.
Butter: Adds richness and helps develop a wonderful golden sear on the chicken.
Olive oil: Keeps the butter from burning and adds a light fruity note.
Heavy cream: This is the creamy anchor that makes the sauce so luscious and smooth.
Chicken broth: Builds a flavorful base for the sauce and keeps it from being too thick or heavy.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice wakes up the sauce with bright citrus notes —fresh bottled lemon juice can also work when you're in a pinch.
Honey: Just a touch balances the tart lemon and garlic perfectly.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings a savory punch that you’ll taste in every bite.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but a little bit adds a nice subtle heat contrast.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the sauce to taste.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe my own by playing around with herbs and heat levels. Sometimes I add thyme or rosemary for an earthier flavor, or a pinch more red pepper flakes when I want to turn up the heat. You can really tailor the sauce to fit your mood.

Variation: When I’m short on time, I slice the chicken thinly before cooking—the sauce soaks into the pieces, making every bite extra flavorful.
Dairy-Free Option: Try coconut cream in place of heavy cream for a creamy twist that’s also dairy-free.
Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms or cauliflower steaks, and the sauce still works like a dream.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

First things first, wrap the chicken breasts in plastic wrap and gently pound them to about ½ inch thick—this helps them cook evenly without drying out. Pat them dry so you get a nice sear, and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. I’ve found this simple prep step makes a huge difference for juicy chicken.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat a skillet over medium-high and melt the butter together with olive oil. The oil keeps the butter from burning while adding flavor. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the pan and let them cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes to develop a golden brown crust. Resist the urge to move them around—you want that beautiful browning.

Step 3: Finish Cooking and Remove Chicken

Lower the heat to medium, flip the chicken, then cover the skillet. Let the chicken cook for about 10 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the juices run clear. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside to rest while you make the sauce—trust me, resting keeps the meat juicy.

Step 4: Make the Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce

In the same skillet with the browned bits left behind (that’s where all the flavor is!), whisk together the chicken broth, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Scrape the browned bits off the pan as you stir—those add richness and depth to the sauce. Let this simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly, then stir in the heavy cream for that velvety finish.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Pop the chicken back into the pan and spoon the creamy lemon garlic sauce over each piece. Let everything heat through for a minute or two so the flavors meld, then get ready to dish it up. Serving with fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of color and freshness.

Top Tip

After making this Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe a handful of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really bring the dish up a notch and help avoid common pitfalls.

Don’t Skip Pounding the Chicken: Flattening the chicken to an even thickness guarantees it cooks evenly and stays juicy—no dry edges here!
Pat Chicken Dry: Extra moisture on the chicken causes steaming instead of searing, so take a few extra seconds to dry it off before seasoning.
Use the Pan Drippings: Those browned bits in the skillet are pure gold—make sure to scrape them up to infuse your sauce with deep flavor.
Simmer Sauce Gently: Avoid boiling cream sauces aggressively—it can curdle. Keep the heat medium-low and stir often for a smooth texture.

How to Serve Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe

lemon garlic chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley—it adds a vibrant green color and a subtle herbiness that complements the tangy sauce. For extra zing, a few thin lemon slices or wedges on the side give you control over how much citrus you want with each bite.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes or creamy polenta, both of which soak up that luscious sauce like a dream. For a veggie, I usually go with steamed asparagus or garlic sautéed green beans to add a crisp texture and freshness on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I served this recipe over a bed of angel hair pasta tossed with olive oil and a touch of lemon zest for an elegant dinner party. Another time, I plated the chicken atop wild rice and garnished with toasted almonds for crunch—it impressed everyone at the table! Small touches like these make the meal feel special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken with lemon garlic cream sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool it completely before sealing to keep the sauce fresh and creamy. It reheats well without drying out if you’re gentle.

Freezing

While I don’t usually freeze this dish because cream sauces don’t always freeze perfectly, you can freeze the cooked chicken breasts by themselves. Then, prepare the sauce fresh when you’re ready to eat. This keeps the texture spot on without the sauce breaking.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the chicken gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or cream added to the sauce to loosen it up. This prevents the sauce from thickening too much or curdling. Microwaving is fine too, but watch it closely so the cream stays smooth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will be juicier and more forgiving if you slightly overcook them. Just adjust cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in the sauce?

You can use half-and-half for a lighter version or coconut cream if you want a dairy-free alternative. Just note the flavor and texture will vary slightly.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer and check for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The juices should run clear when pierced with a knife as well.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can pound and season the chicken a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. The sauce can be made ahead, too, but I recommend reheating gently to maintain creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken with Lemon Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe has become such a favorite in my kitchen because it's straightforward but feels special. Whether you’re cooking a cozy weeknight dinner or something to share with friends, it delivers on flavor without fuss. I’m excited for you to try it — once you do, I bet it’ll become one of those meals you turn to again and again.