Pan-Seared Lemon Pepper Chicken
A quick and delicious pan-seared chicken breast with a bright lemon pepper flavor and simple pan sauce. This recipe works great with True Lemon packets when you don’t have fresh lemons on hand, making it perfect for those spontaneous dinner decisions.
Prep Time
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Total: 17 mins
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1 medium chicken breast, flattened to ½-¾ inch thickness
- 2-3 True Lemon packets (reconstituted with 2-3 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Optional: 1 additional True Lemon packet mixed into seasoning
Instructions
-
Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken breast dry and flatten to an even ½-¾ inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin between plastic wrap.
-
Season: Mix salt, pepper, and optional True Lemon packet. Season both sides of the chicken generously.
-
Sear: Heat oil or butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breast for 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving it.
-
Flip and finish: Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
-
Rest: Remove chicken from pan and let rest while making the sauce.
-
Make pan sauce: Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the reconstituted True Lemon mixture and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
-
Finish: Return chicken to the pan for 30 seconds to coat with the lemon sauce.
Chef’s Notes
- Flattening the chicken breast ensures even cooking and prevents the outside from overcooking while the inside catches up
- True Lemon packets work exceptionally well for this recipe because they concentrate the lemon flavor without diluting the pan sauce
- The key to a good sear is not moving the chicken once it hits the pan - let it develop that golden crust
- Always let the chicken rest after cooking to keep the juices from running out when you cut into it