Description
Creamy herb chicken blends Italian and French culinary traditions for an elegant dinner. Home cooks can elevate weeknight meals with this simple yet sophisticated dish that will impress dinner guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil (chopped, optional)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional for extra richness)
Garnishes:
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley or thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Generously coat both sides of chicken with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic for 60 seconds until aromatic.
- Carefully place chicken into the heated skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 6-8 minutes per side. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- During the final minute of cooking, introduce butter to create a luxurious glaze and enhance flavor depth.
- Create a vibrant herb mixture by combining finely chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil with fresh lemon zest and juice.
- Delicately drizzle the herb and citrus blend over the chicken, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Plate the herb-infused chicken alongside complementary accompaniments like roasted seasonal vegetables, fluffy quinoa, or a crisp garden salad.
- Elevate the presentation by garnishing with delicate parsley sprigs, fragrant thyme, or bright lemon wedges for a fresh, zesty finish.
Notes
- Herb Selection Matters: Choose fresh, vibrant herbs for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic impact.
- Chicken Thickness Affects Cooking: Pound chicken to uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Butter Boost: Adding butter in the final cooking minute creates a luxurious, golden-brown exterior with rich, nutty undertones.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap butter with olive oil for dairy-free version or use skinless chicken breasts for lower-fat option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg