Chicken with Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

Chicken breasts: The main protein of the dish, providing a tender and juicy base.

Lemon juice: Adds a bright and tangy flavor that complements the richness of the butter.

Butter: Creates a creamy and luxurious sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.

Garlic: Adds a fragrant and savory depth to the sauce.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and balances the flavors.

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken, adding a subtle richness.

When cooking chicken breasts, ensure they are of even thickness for uniform cooking. If needed, pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet. This helps in achieving a consistent golden brown color and ensures the chicken is cooked through without drying out.

• chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts have a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken breasts, making them a suitable alternative.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidic and citrusy flavor that complements the dish well.

• butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee is a clarified butter that is lactose-free and has a rich, nutty flavor, making it a great alternative for those avoiding dairy.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent and more convenient for quick preparation.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a similar salty taste but can offer a slightly different mineral profile, enhancing the dish's flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the dish's seasoning without altering the overall taste significantly.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable alternative for cooking and sautéing.

• Allow the chicken breasts to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the chicken soggy.
• Transfer the cooled chicken to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the chicken snugly to minimize air exposure.
• Pour any remaining lemon butter sauce over the chicken in the container. This helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
• Label the container with the date so you can keep track of freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The lemon butter sauce will help preserve the chicken's moisture and flavor.
• For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken. Wrap each piece of chicken individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped chicken pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
• Label the bag or container with the date and contents.
• Freeze the chicken for up to 2-3 months. The lemon butter sauce will still provide some moisture and flavor after thawing.
• To reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture.
• Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a bit of olive oil or butter if needed. Spoon any remaining lemon butter sauce over the top to refresh the flavors.
• Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Cover the chicken with foil to prevent it from drying out.
• Serve the reheated chicken with a fresh drizzle of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, if desired, to enhance the flavors.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken breasts in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Spoon some of the lemon butter sauce over the chicken to keep it moist.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Heat in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through.
  6. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and pour some of the lemon butter sauce over them.
  4. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap the steam and heat.
  5. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is heated thoroughly.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Spoon some of the lemon butter sauce over the chicken.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Check the temperature and stir the sauce, then continue heating in 30-second intervals until the chicken is hot.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the chicken breasts and lemon butter sauce in a vacuum-sealed bag.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath.
  4. Heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  5. Remove from the bag and serve immediately, or quickly sear in a hot skillet for added texture.

• skillet: a flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. Essential for cooking the chicken and making the lemon butter sauce.

• spatula: a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, and lift food. Useful for flipping the chicken breasts and stirring the sauce.

• tongs: a tool used to grip and lift objects, in this case, the chicken breasts. Helps in handling the chicken without piercing it.

• measuring cups: used to measure the volume of liquid or bulk solid cooking ingredients such as lemon juice and butter.

• measuring spoons: used to measure small quantities of ingredients like salt, pepper, and minced garlic.

• cutting board: a durable board on which to place material for cutting. Essential for preparing the garlic.

• chef's knife: a multi-purpose knife designed to perform well at many different kitchen tasks, such as slicing and chopping vegetables, mincing garlic, etc.

• garlic press: a kitchen tool used to crush garlic cloves efficiently. Useful for mincing the garlic.

• serving platter: a large flat dish or plate used for serving food. Ideal for presenting the cooked chicken with lemon butter sauce.

• small bowl: used to hold ingredients like minced garlic before adding them to the skillet.

Pre-season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper ahead of time and store them in the fridge. This allows the flavors to penetrate and saves you a step during cooking.

Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought pre-minced garlic instead of mincing fresh cloves.

Melt butter in advance: Melt the butter in the microwave before starting to cook. This way, you can quickly add it to the skillet when needed.

Cook in batches: If your skillet is small, cook the chicken in batches to ensure even browning and faster cooking.