Description
This Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Bake features tender chicken breasts in a luscious, tangy cream sauce with garlic and fresh herbs. Everything bakes together in one dish for easy preparation and incredible flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 lbs total)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce:
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra lemon slices
- Additional Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step adds flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time. Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, and flour until smooth and no lumps remain. Add minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined. The sauce should be smooth and pourable.
- Assemble: Pour the creamy lemon garlic sauce over the chicken breasts in the baking dish, making sure to coat them evenly. The sauce should come about halfway up the sides of the chicken. Spoon some sauce over the tops of the chicken.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The sauce should be bubbling and slightly thickened, and the chicken should be tender and juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the sauce to thicken slightly. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, lemon slices, and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Even Cooking: If chicken breasts are very thick (over 1 inch), pound them to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Don’t Overbake: Chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature. Overbaking makes it dry.
- Sauce Consistency: If sauce is too thick, add more broth. If too thin, simmer on stovetop after baking to reduce.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Replace flour with 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water.
- Add Vegetables: Include asparagus, green beans, or cherry tomatoes in the baking dish for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 185mg