Description
A delightful recipe featuring tender, golden-browned chicken breasts simmered in a rich and creamy lemon garlic sauce, paired perfectly with aromatic herb-infused rice. This dish combines bold flavors of lemon, garlic, and thyme to create a comforting and elegant meal that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Herb Rice
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Brown the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through.
- Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dried thyme, mixing everything well to combine.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the sauce and let them simmer together for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Herb Rice: In a separate saucepan, combine the rice, water or chicken broth, and butter. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Stir in fresh parsley once cooked.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts and spoon the creamy lemon garlic sauce over them. Serve alongside the herb rice and garnish with additional fresh parsley as desired.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste if you prefer a more or less tangy sauce.
- For a dairy-free option, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Fresh thyme can be used instead of dried for a more vibrant herbal flavor.
