Creamy Lemon Thyme Chicken

So saucy! One skillet is the only pan you need to cook this tender chicken and flavorful creamy lemon herb sauce.

I originally published this recipe in 2016 and have since added new photos, a video tutorial, and more success tips. The recipe now features nearly double the garlicky and herb-infused sauce so there’s extra for spooning onto each scrumptious bite.

My website is full of baking recipes, but when I put together a truly fabulous dinner that the entire family enjoys, it would be silly not to share it. We’ve been making this creamy lemon thyme chicken on repeat for a few years and we love it with extra sauce. The written recipe below is exactly how I make it these days.

I usually serve it with rice and a vegetable. The importance of a quick, easy, and delicious meal is worth its weight in gold and luckily this meal checks all 3 boxes!

It’s truly a family-favorite—right up there with crispy coconut chicken.

One reader, Kathy, commented: “This recipe is replacing my old lemon chicken recipe. Sally’s recipe is bursting with lemon flavor and together with the cream, it really creates a flavorful sauce, which coated the pasta I made to accompany the recipe. Very delicious, even with omitting the thyme! ★★★★★”

Another reader, Shannon, commented: “Gosh, this was delicious. Though I’ve made many of Sally’s baking recipes, I’ve never made one of her dinner recipes. Let me tell you—I’ve been missing out! Loved this. Easy and flavorful—really liked the lemon especially. This will definitely become a regular in my home for dinner. ★★★★★“

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This Lemon Thyme Chicken Is a 1-Pan Wonder

Today’s easy dinner was inspired by two other favorites: cilantro lime chicken and creamy garlic chicken and vegetables. I’ve even used the same easy process to make apple cider chicken. The dishes each include a flavorful sauce and juicy chicken cooked & combined in just 1 pan. The chicken recipes start on the stove and finish in the oven, so make sure you use an oven-safe skillet.

Yes, it’s all cooked in just 1 pan! I usually use a 10.25 inch cast iron skillet but any oven-safe skillet does the trick. This skillet is a workhorse and we use it for nearly everything from bruschetta chicken and walnut crusted chicken to honey skillet cornbread, too.

You Can Make This with Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs

I usually prepare this meal with boneless skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are just as tasty. When using chicken thighs, I reach for boneless just because they’re easier to eat, but bone-in works too. The directions remain exactly the same whichever you use, but you may need to cook the chicken for a shorter period of time depending on its thickness.

Grab these ingredients:

Let Me Show You How Easy This Is

The chicken is your first focus. Add salt and pepper to the chicken and then cook it in your skillet on the stove with a little olive oil. Brown it on both sides, but don’t worry about cooking it through in this step because it will finish cooking in the oven with the sauce. Cover and set the *mostly cooked* chicken aside.

In the same pan, prep the lemon thyme sauce. Simmer chicken broth, lemon juice & zest, chopped onion, garlic, and fresh thyme together. Reduce it down and then stir in heavy cream and butter. Simmer until slightly thickened, about the same consistency as heavy cream itself.

Now combine both the chicken and sauce. But I won’t blame you if you want to drink the sauce first.

And finish it in the oven until the chicken is cooked through. I always find this internal chicken temperature guide helpful. Meanwhile, you can make a couple easy side dishes like rice and/or steamed vegetables—anything to soak up that creamy lemon sauce! You could even roast some potatoes in the oven before the chicken cooks or whip up a fresh salad.

Here’s Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Thyme Chicken

• Fresh thyme is great, but if dried is more convenient, use that instead.
• There’s no shortage of that rich lemon thyme sauce!
• Preparation is a breeze.
• Perfect with rice and a vegetable for a casual weeknight meal, but can be fancied up with crowd pleasing sides like biscuits, sage dinner rolls, cornbread muffins, roasted potatoes, dinner rolls, olive bread, asiago-crusted skillet bread, mashed potatoes (spoon the sauce on top!), garden salad, corn on the cob, and more.

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