Description
This Lemon Shallot Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and simmered in a tangy, flavorful sauce made with fresh lemon juice, shallots, garlic, Dijon mustard, and butter. Perfect for a quick and elegant weeknight dinner, it offers a bright and refreshing twist on classic skillet chicken and pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 shallots, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter
Garnish
- Fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides evenly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté shallots and garlic: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add the thinly sliced shallots and minced garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and the shallots become translucent.
- Prepare the sauce: Stir in the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard. Let the mixture simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Finish the sauce: Add the butter to the skillet and stir continuously until the butter melts and the sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and simmer together for an additional 2–3 minutes to warm through and meld the flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley, and serve immediately with your choice of sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- This dish pairs excellently with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a richer flavor, substitute chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- Add a splash of cream to the sauce for a silkier texture if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
