This high-protein lemon garlic chicken skillet is a flavorful and easy dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights. It features tender chicken and savory shallots, creating a delicious meal your family will love.

High-Protein Lemon Garlic Chicken Skillet with Shallots 16

Each serving provides about 35 grams of protein. This recipe is designed to be quick and straightforward, making it an ideal choice for those evenings when you need a satisfying meal on the table without a lot of fuss.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true weeknight hero, perfect for anyone looking for a delicious and healthy meal that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. It’s fantastic for busy parents, individuals with demanding schedules, or even beginner cooks who want to impress without stress. The combination of bright lemon, pungent garlic, and sweet shallots creates a sophisticated flavor profile that feels gourmet, yet the preparation is incredibly simple. You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together, making it an excellent choice for a Tuesday night dinner, a casual get-together with friends, or even a meal prep option for lunches throughout the week. The use of a single skillet also means less cleanup, which is always a bonus!

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is the first step to a stress-free meal. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh produce that are easy to find at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the way a few key ingredients come together to create a burst of flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large shallots, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

When it comes to the chicken, both breasts and thighs work wonderfully. Chicken breasts will give you a leaner option, while thighs will be a bit more tender and flavorful due to their higher fat content. If you prefer, you can use chicken cutlets, which will cook even faster. For the shallots, don’t be afraid to use a few extra if you love their mild, sweet onion flavor. If fresh parsley isn’t available, a teaspoon of dried parsley can be used, though fresh always offers a brighter flavor. You can also use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth if you prefer, or even a dry white wine for an extra layer of flavor.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy evenings.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes

These times are estimates and can vary slightly based on your cooking speed and the thickness of your chicken. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, which will help you stay within this quick timeframe.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious lemon garlic chicken skillet is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. If using thicker chicken breasts, you might want to pound them slightly to an even thickness (about 3/4 inch) for more even cooking.
Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate, tented loosely with foil to keep warm.
Sauté the Shallots: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced shallots to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook the shallots for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and translucent. They should start to turn a light golden color.
Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly. Keep it moving in the pan.
Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, scraping any remaining browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This helps to build a rich, flavorful sauce. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and thicken.
Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the lemon-garlic sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Let it warm through for another 1-2 minutes.
Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This lemon garlic chicken skillet is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces before cooking. This makes it easier for little hands to manage and can encourage picky eaters. You might also reduce the amount of garlic slightly if your children are sensitive to strong flavors. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese at the end can also make it more appealing to kids.

If you’re looking to add more vegetables, consider tossing in some spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering the sauce. The greens will wilt beautifully and absorb the delicious flavors. Sliced mushrooms or cherry tomatoes also make excellent additions. For a heartier meal, you could add some quartered artichoke hearts.

This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up all the flavorful sauce. Roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette also complement the chicken perfectly. For a low-carb option, try it with cauliflower rice or steamed green beans.

For a party or buffet, you can keep the chicken warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting with the sauce, though it’s best served fresh. You can also prepare the sauce ahead of time and simply reheat it and add the freshly cooked chicken just before serving.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One common mistake is overcrowding the skillet when searing the chicken. If you put too much chicken in the pan at once, the temperature will drop, and the chicken will steam instead of sear, resulting in less browning and a tougher texture. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space between pieces.

Another slip-up is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s cooked through but still juicy. Removing it from the pan and letting it rest while you make the sauce also helps retain moisture.

Burning the garlic is another frequent issue. Garlic cooks much faster than shallots. Add it towards the end of the shallot cooking time, and only cook it for about a minute until fragrant. If it turns dark brown, it will taste bitter, and you’ll want to start over with fresh garlic.

Finally, not scraping up the fond (the browned bits at the bottom of the pan) when deglazing. These bits are packed with flavor! Use a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape them up as you add the broth and lemon juice. This step is crucial for developing a rich, deep sauce.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This lemon garlic chicken skillet is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated successfully.

To store any leftover chicken and sauce, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat on the stovetop. You might need to add a splash of extra chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce and prevent the chicken from drying out. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through, though the stovetop method often yields better results for texture.

For making ahead, you can slice the shallots and mince the garlic a day in advance and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. You can also pre-portion and season the chicken. This will significantly cut down on your active cooking time when you’re ready to make the meal. The full dish is not ideal for freezing, as the sauce can separate and the chicken’s texture might change upon thawing.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.