Description
Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken with Asparagus is a quick and delicious skillet meal featuring tender chicken breasts seasoned with Italian herbs and crushed red pepper, sautéed with fresh asparagus, and simmered in a luscious lemon garlic cream sauce enriched with Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this flavorful dish balances savory, tangy, and creamy notes perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 medium chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter (divided)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 pound asparagus (trimmed and cut into thirds)
- 1/2 cup onion (minced)
- 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper to ensure a well-flavored base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Vegetables: To the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon butter, minced onion, and asparagus pieces. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the asparagus becomes just tender and the onions soften, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for just under a minute until fragrant but not browned, to maintain its sharp flavor.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine the ingredients into a creamy sauce that will flavor the entire dish.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the cream sauce. Let everything simmer together for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the chicken to absorb the lemon garlic flavors.
- Adjust Seasonings and Consistency: Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash (about 1/4 cup) of water, chicken stock, or broth to reach the desired consistency.
Notes
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative, but the sauce may be less rich.
- If Parmesan cheese is unavailable, you can omit it, though it adds a nice savory depth to the sauce.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly by checking that internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Trim woody ends off the asparagus before cooking for better texture.
- Serve this dish over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
