Perfectly Pan-Fried Lemon Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place them on a cutting board, and using a meat mallet, gently flatten each breast to an even thickness for uniform cooking.

2. Season the Chicken
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, and the lemon zest. Rub this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.

3. Preheat the Pan
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and swirl to coat.

4. Pan-Fry the Chicken
Once the oil is shimmering but not smoking, add the chicken breasts in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on the first side. You should see a nice golden crust forming.

5. Flip and Finish Cooking
Flip the chicken breasts and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes on the other side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F as read by a meat thermometer.

6. Add Lemon Juice
In the final minute of cooking, squeeze the lemon juice over the chicken breasts for a bright, citrusy finish. Allow it to sizzle for a few moments.

7. Rest and Serve
Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest on a plate for 5 minutes to ensure juiciness. Slice and serve garnished with any additional lemon zest or juice for extra flavor.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT10M
10 minutes
- Cooking Time: PT15M
15 minutes

Total Time

PT25M
25 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Pan-Fried Chicken, Lemon Garlic Chicken, Easy Dinner Recipe, Chicken Breast Recipe, Quick Meals, Healthy Chicken Dinner, Mediterranean Chicken, Flavorful Chicken Recipe, Pan Cooking, One-Skillet Dinner

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Approximately 760 total calories for the entire dish

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