Zesty Lemon Garlic Pan-Fried Chicken

Ingredients

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a nice sear. Set aside.

2. Create the Marinade:
In a medium-sized bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well.

3. Marinate the Chicken:
Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. For deeper flavor, marinate up to 2 hours.

4. Preheat the Pan:
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.

5. Pan-Fry the Chicken:
Once the oil is shimmering, carefully lay the chicken breasts in the pan. Avoid overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Fry for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and the chicken is golden brown and juices run clear.

6. Rest the Chicken:
Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate. Tent with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute.

7. Garnish and Serve:
Slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange them on a serving platter. Pour any remaining pan juices over the slices for added flavor. Serve with a wedge of lemon for an extra hit of citrus if desired.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation time: PT40M
40 minutes
- Cooking time: PT14M
14 minutes

Total Time

PT54M
54 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Lemon Chicken, Garlic Chicken, Pan-Fried Chicken, Easy Dinner, Chicken Breasts, Citrus Chicken, Quick Meal, Healthy Dinner, Juicy Chicken

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total 960 calories

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