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Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken with Asparagus

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy lemon herb sauce with fresh asparagus. Perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons juice)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook without moving for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the asparagus pieces and sauté for 3-4 minutes until bright green and just tender.
  4. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Let it reduce for about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Add chopped herbs, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce and asparagus. Spoon sauce over chicken and simmer for another 2 minutes to meld flavors and reheat chicken without drying it out.
  6. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. If desired, sprinkle red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese just before serving.

Notes

Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking for juicier results. Keep lemon juice fresh for best flavor. Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a golden crust. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer or add a slurry of cornstarch and water. Add cream after removing pan from high heat to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, creamy chicken, asparagus recipe, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy chicken, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/creamy-lemon-herb-chicken-with-asparagus-easy-30-minute-dinner-recipe/