Lemon Pepper Chicken

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This lemon pepper chicken makes a delicious entree or a versatile side to a variety of dishes. The flour and seasoning mix coats the chicken to give it a light, golden brown skin that is full of flavor.

lemon peppered chicken on a round white plate.

This savory, mouth-watering lemon pepper chicken is a fantastic solution. In addition to being a great source of protein, it is also incredibly versatile. One of our favorite things about this chicken recipe is how easy it is to pair with different sides.

Whether you serve this chicken with rice, potatoes, veggies, or salad, it is sure to be a hit with the whole family! Be sure to check out some of our other serving suggestions below for some delicious ways to enjoy this lemon pepper chicken.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Creates gourmet-tasting chicken in under 30 minutes.
  • Can be served as a stand-alone dish or served as a side.
  • Is full of savory and zesty flavors.
  • Only requires five simple ingredients.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with digitally labeled raw ingredients to make lemon pepper chicken breasts.
  • Chicken Breast—You can also use chicken breast tenderloins.
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning—Gives the chicken a unique and delicious flavor.
  • Sea Salt— Helps draw out the natural flavor of the chicken and compliments the zestiness of the lemon pepper seasoning. 
  • Flour—For a gluten free adaptation, try using tapioca flour or 1:1 gluten free flour.
  • Butter—Salted or unsalted.


See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken 

portion bowls each with raw ingredients to make the lemon pepper chicken recipe.
breaded raw chicken breast ready to make lemon pepper chicken recipe.

Step #1. Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thinner pieces of chicken.

Step #2. Whisk together the lemon pepper seasoning, flour, and salt and then coat your chicken pieces in the mixture. 

breaded raw chicken breast going into a cast iron pan, ready to make lemon pepper chicken.
baked chicken breast in a cast iron skillet.

Step #3. Melt your butter in a medium skillet or pan. Add the coated chicken and cook each side until they are golden brown and completely cooked through. 

Step #4. Serve and enjoy! 

Recipe FAQs

How do I keep my chicken from drying out as it cooks? 

Cutting the chicken breasts horizontally to make each breast thinner will help keep the chicken tender, moist, and juicy since it won’t have to cook as long. Chicken dries out if it is overcooked, so you can use a food thermometer to know when the chicken is fully cooked, but not overdone.

Can I make my own lemon pepper seasoning? 

Absolutely! If you want to add a personal touch to this recipe or are out of lemon pepper seasoning then you can easily throw one together using other spices in your pantry. To make your own lemon pepper seasoning you will need:

 ¼ cup dried lemon peel
1 ½ Tbsp black pepper 
1 Tbsp sea salt
½ Tbsp dried thyme leaves
½ garlic powder
½ Tbsp onion powder.
Throw the ingredients into a small bowl, give it a quick stir, and you are good to go!

Should I use fresh or frozen chicken? 

We like to use fresh chicken since it is a little easier to work with, but frozen chicken will work as well. If you are using frozen chicken then you will want to defrost it before continuing with the recipe. You can defrost your chicken by placing it in the fridge the day before you plan on using it.

wooden spatula over a cast iron skillet with the Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe.

What To Serve With Lemon Pepper Chicken

Lemon pepper chicken can be served in a variety of ways as both a main dish or side. Some of our favorite ways to serve this chicken include serving the chicken on a bed of rice or quinoa, including a side of mashed potatoes, or serving the chicken alongside some roasted veggies. You can also slice your chicken and add it to a salad. One thing is for sure, no  matter how you serve this chicken it is sure to be a hit!

Expert Tips

  • Store your leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. You can reheat your chicken in the microwave for about a minute, flipping halfway through, or until warm in the middle. It is important to note that reheating your chicken can cause it to dry out a little bit. 
  • Keeping your knife sharp helps you to cut the chicken easier and reduces the risk of your knife slipping. 
  • Patting the chicken dry with a paper towel will help the seasonings adhere to the chicken better.
  • We like to top our chicken with a little bit of fresh lemon juice after it is finished cooking to bring out its zesty flavor.
  • Slicing your chicken breasts in half will allow them to cook quicker and more evenly.
white plate with lemon pepper chicken breast surrounded by fresh lemons with a bite out of it.

More Chicken Recipes To Consider

baked chicken breast in a cast iron skillet for the Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe.
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Lemon Pepper Chicken

This lemon pepper chicken is a tasty entree or versatile side. The seasoned flour creates a light, flavorful, golden brown crust.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 22 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 2 large chicken breasts, boneless skinless
  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • ¼ cup butter
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Instructions 

  • Use a sharp knife to cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 thinner pieces of chicken.
  • Whisk together the lemon pepper seasoning, flour, and salt in a shallow dish and then dip both sides of all your chicken pieces in the mixture. Set aside.
  • Melt your butter over medium heat in a medium sized skillet or pan. Once the butter is fully melted, add your chicken and cook them for about 6 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can serve this chicken on its own, over a bed of rice, alongside steamed veggies, etc. You can also slice your chicken and add it to any salad for a quick and easy meal.
  • Store your leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
  • You can reheat your chicken in the microwave for about a minute, flipping halfway through, or until warm in the middle. It is important to note that reheating your chicken can cause it to dry out a little bit.
  • Slicing your chicken breasts in half will allow them to cook quicker and more evenly.
  • The sea salt helps draw out the natural flavor of the chicken and compliments the zestiness of the lemon pepper seasoning.
  • To help your seasoning adhere to the chicken better you can pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before you coat it.
  • You can use salted or unsalted butter in this recipe since the chicken is already going to have salt on it.
  • We like to top our chicken will a little bit of fresh lemon juice after it is finished cooking to bring out its zesty flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.5g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 804mg, Potassium: 455mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 0.03g, Vitamin A: 401IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg
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