Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe in Just 15 Mins in 2025

Looking for a fast, flavorful, and foolproof chicken dinner? This lemon pepper chicken recipe is the perfect 15-minute meal. It combines juicy pan-seared chicken breasts with a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce.

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner, meal prepping for the week, or need a gluten-free or dairy-free option, this easy recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to make lemon pepper chicken, what to serve with it, tips for the best results, and how lemon juice enhances chicken flavor. Let’s dive in and make this your new go-to dinner!

🍋 Why You’ll Love This Lemon Pepper Chicken

Let’s be honest: weeknight dinners can feel like a chore. But this lemon pepper chicken flips the script. It’s one of those recipes you’ll find yourself returning to repeatedly and for good reason.

Here’s why this chicken is a total win:

1. Bursting With Flavor

The combination of zesty lemon, cracked black pepper, garlic, and butter hits all the right notes: tangy, savory, and comforting. The lemony garlic butter sauce adds a delicious drizzle that ties everything together.

2. Takes Less Than 15 Minutes

This recipe is no joke. It takes under 15 minutes to complete from slicing to searing to saucing. That means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your evening. It’s the ultimate quick dinner fix.

3. Only a Few Ingredients

You’ll have everything you need for a knockout dish with just a handful of pantry and fridge staples like chicken, lemon, garlic, butter, and lemon pepper seasoning.

4. Beginner-Friendly & Forgiving

Even if your knife skills aren’t perfect, or your chicken pieces are slightly uneven (we’ve all been there!), It still turns out amazing. The technique is simple, the steps are easy, and the results are restaurant-worthy.

5. Great for Meal Prep

It stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer. So if you’re into meal planning, this is the kind of high-flavor, low-maintenance recipe you’ll love keeping on hand.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick look at everything you need to bring this juicy, zesty chicken to life:

👩‍🍳 How to Make Lemon Pepper Chicken: 7 Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to whip up something zesty, buttery, and downright irresistible? This lemon pepper chicken comes together quickly, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

With just 15 minutes of effort and 7 straightforward steps, you’ll be serving up golden perfection in no time.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Slice the Chicken Breasts

Start with two large chicken breasts, each weighing about ¾ pounds, for roughly 1½ pounds.

Here’s the trick to making this dish cook fast and evenly: cut each breast in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets.

🔪 How to Slice Like a Pro:

• Place your non-dominant hand flat on top of the chicken breast to stabilize it.
• Use your dominant hand to gently slice horizontally through the center with a sharp knife.
• Be sure to keep the knife level with the cutting board. If you angle it upward or downward, you might end up with uneven pieces, which means uneven cooking.

Pro Tip: Don’t stress if your slices aren’t perfect! Even seasoned cooks (like the creator of this recipe) sometimes end up with “wonky” cuts. The goal is simply to get the chicken thinner so it cooks more quickly and evenly.

🥩 No Big Breasts? No Problem!

If you have only smaller chicken breasts on hand, grab a meat mallet and gently pound them to an even ½-inch thickness. This works just as well and ensures your chicken sears like a dream.

Step 2: Mix Your Simple Seasoning

Here’s where the magic starts. Instead of complex marinades or spice blends, this chicken gets its flavor from just three dry ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Whisk these together in a small bowl. This mixture will do three things:

1. Add flavor from the lemon pepper.
2. Create a crisp golden crust thanks to the starch.
3. Enhance seasoning with the salt.

Note: Arrowroot powder gives a slightly crisper, lighter texture. Cornstarch and flour are great too — just use what you have.

Step 3: Season the Chicken Cutlets

Lay your sliced chicken cutlets on a plate or tray. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly across the tops, then flip and season the other side.

💡 Get Your Hands Involved

Rub the seasoning into the chicken with your hands. You want the mixture to stick to the surface. Press it in, don’t just dust it on.

Pro Tip: If you have a baking sheet, use it to make this process cleaner and more efficient. But if you’re like our recipe creator, who was in the middle of moving kitchens, a plate works just fine!

Step 4: Zest and Juice Your Lemon

This step might feel small, but it makes a huge difference in flavor. You’ll be using both the zest and juice from one fresh lemon.

🍋 Here’s the Right Order:

1. Zest the lemon first. Use a fine grater or microplane to remove only the yellow outer layer. Stop before you hit the bitter white pit.
2. Then juice the lemon. You should get about 3 tablespoons of juice from one average lemon.

⚠️ Common Mistake: Juice the lemon before zesting, and you’ll regret it. A floppy lemon half is almost impossible to zest. Don’t make this mistake unless you have a backup lemon!

Step 5: Sear the Chicken

Time to get cooking!

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
3. Add your chicken once the oil is hot (shimmering but not smoking).

⏲️ Cook Time:

• 3 to 4 minutes per side is all you need!
• You’re looking for a golden brown crust and fully cooked center (165°F internal temperature).

Why It Works: Because we sliced the chicken thin, it cooks fast without drying out. Perfect for those nights when you’re tired but still want something homemade.

Once both sides are seared and gorgeous, transfer the chicken to a clean plate and move to the next step.

Step 6: Build the Lemon Garlic Pan Sauce

Now that the chicken is resting, let’s make the star of the show: the lemon garlic butter sauce. It comes together right in the same pan, no extra dishes!

Here’s How:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
2. Mince and toss in 2 garlic cloves.
3. Let it cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant (but don’t let the garlic brown!).

Next, add:

• ¼ cup chicken broth
• Fresh lemon juice (about 3 tbsp)

Use your spatula to deglaze the pan, scraping up the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. That’s concentrated flavor gold!

Cookware Care Tip: If you’re using non-stick or enameled pans (like Le Creuset), opt for a silicone spatula to avoid scratching the surface.

Let everything simmer gently for about 1 minute until the sauce is slightly reduced.

Step 7: Return Chicken & Finish With Zest

Slide your seared chicken back into the pan. Use a spoon to drizzle that beautiful lemon garlic sauce all over the tops of the chicken pieces.

Then sprinkle on the lemon zest you set aside earlier. This fresh pop amps up the brightness of the whole dish.

🌿 Optional Extras:

• Add a few lemon slices to the pan for a pretty presentation.
• Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for color.
• Finish with a pinch of extra salt and black pepper to taste.

Bonus Tip: If dairy-free, use ghee or a plant-based butter alternative here. Same richness, no dairy!

🎉 Look What You Made!

Your kitchen smells like a cozy, sunny bistro, and your skillet is filled with golden chicken bathed in a zesty, buttery sauce.

You can serve this dish directly from the pan or plate it over mashed potatoes, rice, or quinoa. A side of green beans or asparagus makes it feel like a complete, restaurant-style meal.

The best part? You just did all that in 15 minutes or less.

🥗 What Goes With Lemon Pepper Chicken?

You’ve got your pan of golden, zesty lemon pepper chicken, now let’s talk sides.

This dish is incredibly versatile, so it goes well with almost anything. There are plenty of pairing options, whether for something cozy and comforting or light and fresh.

Here are some of the best sides to serve with lemon pepper chicken, from classic favorites to veggie-packed winners.

1. Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes are the perfect match for this chicken. The buttery lemon garlic sauce acts like a gravy, soaking into the potatoes and making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Pro Tip: Skip the extra pat of butter on your mash, and drizzle some of that pan sauce over the top instead!

2. Steamed or Roasted Vegetables

Green beans are a great choice, especially if you’re going for a nostalgic “protein + starch + veg” kind of dinner, like many of us grew up on. Other great options:

• Asparagus – lightly roasted or steamed with a dash of olive oil.
• Broccolini adds elegance and crunch.
• Zucchini or squash – roasted to golden brown perfection.

Want to keep it seasonal? Pick whatever veggies are freshest at your local market.

3. Rice or Quinoa

For a gluten-free and wholesome option, serve your lemon pepper chicken over:

• Steamed white or jasmine rice – mild and soaks up the sauce.
• Brown rice – hearty and nutty.
• Quinoa – adds a fun texture and extra protein boost.

4. Light Side Salads

Want something cool and refreshing to balance out the warm, savory chicken? Go green:

• Arugula salad – toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and shaved Parmesan.
• Greek salad – cucumber, tomato, olives, red onion, feta.
• Caesar salad – classic pairing with that lemony kick.

5. Pasta (Lemon or Garlic-Based)

Yes, even a light pasta dish works wonderfully! Think angel hair or spaghetti tossed in a simple lemon-butter sauce with parsley and Parmesan. It’s a total upgrade.

🌱 Make It Dairy-Free or Gluten-Free

What is the beauty of this lemon pepper chicken recipe? It’s super adaptable. Whether you’re avoiding dairy, gluten, or both, this dish can flex for you without losing flavor or texture.

Let’s break down how to make easy swaps that still taste amazing.

How to Make It Dairy-Free

The only dairy in this recipe is the butter used in the garlic lemon sauce. But don’t worry — the solution is simple:

✅ Swap It With:

• Ghee – for a rich flavor without the milk solids (great if you’re lactose intolerant).
• Vegan butter – plant-based options like Earth Balance work beautifully.
• You can use olive oil instead of butter for a lighter, dairy-free version.

Flavor Tip: Vegan butter gives the closest taste to the original, especially if you want that creamy, rich finish.

How to Make It Gluten-Free

Only a tiny bit of flour coats the chicken before searing. This gives it that golden crust and helps lock in moisture.

✅ Swap It With:

• Arrowroot powder is a grain-free, gluten-free option that gives a nice crisp.
• Cornstarch – adds a light, golden texture.
• Gluten-free flour blend – works if you already have it in your pantry.

Skip the all-purpose flour, and your lemon pepper chicken stays completely gluten-free without sacrificing that delicious crust!

✅ Tips for the Best Lemon Pepper Chicken

Cooking something simple doesn’t mean it has to be boring. The little things often take a dish like lemon pepper chicken from good to unforgettable delicious.

Here are some tried-and-true tips from the original recipe creator that you’ll want to keep in your back pocket:

1. Cut Your Chicken Evenly

Whether slicing thick breasts in half or pounding smaller ones to an even thickness, this step ensures your chicken cooks evenly and quickly. Uneven chicken = uneven cooking. The thinner pieces will dry out while the thicker ones are still undercooked.

✂️ Tip: Keep your knife perfectly level when slicing horizontally to get symmetrical, flat cutlets.

2. Don’t Skip the Flour Coating

That light dusting of arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or flour does more than you think. It creates a slightly crispy, golden crust that locks in moisture and holds onto all the juicy sauce.

And no, it won’t taste like “fried chicken coating” — it’s super light, barely noticeable, but oh-so-effective.

3. Rub in the Seasoning

Don’t just sprinkle the seasoning on top—press it in. Use your hands to massage the lemon pepper and salt into every nook and cranny of the chicken’s surface. That way, you get flavor in every bite, not just on the edges.

4. Zest First, Juice Later

Sounds basic, but it’s a total game-changer. Once you’ve juiced a lemon, zesting it becomes a wrestling match. Always zest it first while it’s still firm and intact. That citrusy zest adds a burst of brightness to finish the dish.

5. Use a Good Pan and Protect It

Avoid metal utensils if you cook with an enameled or nonstick pan (like a Le Creuset). Use a silicone spatula to deglaze the pan and stir the sauce. This keeps your cookware in top condition and keeps your food scratch-free.

🍋 What Sauce Goes Well With Lemon Pepper Chicken?

This recipe’s lemon garlic butter pan sauce is all you need. It’s simple, light, and enhances the lemon pepper flavor without overpowering it.

But let’s say you want to get creative or switch things up next time. Here are some other sauces that pair beautifully with lemon pepper chicken:

1. Honey Lemon Glaze

Looking for a sweet-savory balance? Mix:

• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Drizzle it over the cooked chicken or toss in a skillet for 1–2 minutes for a sticky finish.

2. Creamy Lemon Herb Sauce

If you love a richer texture:

• Sauté garlic in butter
• Add lemon juice + zest
• Stir in heavy cream or coconut cream
• Add chopped parsley or dill

This turns your lemon pepper chicken into a comfort food dream.

3. Garlic Parmesan Sauce

For a bolder, Italian-inspired vibe:

• Butter + garlic
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Splash of milk or cream

Simmer until thick, then spoon over your chicken. Add fresh basil if you want a little flair.

4. Pesto (Yes, Really!)

A spoonful of basil pesto brings a punch of herbal depth and goes surprisingly well with the lemon-pepper combo. Think of it as a summer spin.

5. Yogurt Dill Sauce

Perfect if you’re serving the chicken cold or over salad:

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh dill
• Lemon juice
• Pinch of garlic

Cool, creamy, and ideal for picnics or light meals.

🍋 What Does Soaking Chicken in Lemon Juice Do?

You may have heard people say that lemon juice “cooks” or “tenderizes” chicken. So what’s happening when you soak chicken in lemon juice?

Let’s break it down:

1. Acts as a Tenderizer (But Use Caution)

Lemon juice is highly acidic, which means it can break down proteins in meat. When used correctly, it tenderizes chicken and helps infuse flavor deeper into the meat.

BUT — leave it too long, and it can start to “cook” the chicken, similar to how citrus cooks fish in ceviche. This can make the chicken mealy, mushy, or tough.

✅ Ideal Marination Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
❌ Avoid marinating in lemon overnight!

2. Adds Brightness and Flavor

Even a quick soak (10–30 minutes) in lemon juice before cooking can add a fresh citrusy kick that works beautifully with this recipe’s black pepper and garlic.

3. Helps With Browning

The sugar in lemon juice (yes, lemons have natural sugars!) can help the outside of your chicken caramelize and get a beautiful golden sear, especially when paired with a starch coating like cornstarch or flour.

4. Reduces “hickory” Smell

Some people say lemon helps remove the raw, gamey smell of chicken. While that’s more personal preference than science, it’s another reason citrus is a go-to in marinades.

🥄 Final Thoughts

Lemon Pepper Chicken is one of those rare recipes that hits the sweet spot between effortless and unforgettable. With just a few pantry staples and 15 minutes of your time, you’ll have a zesty, golden dish with flavor.

Whether plating it over mashed potatoes, serving it with greens, or spooning that luscious lemony garlic butter sauce over rice, this recipe brings serious comfort and crave-worthy taste. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, tasty enough for guests, and easy enough to become part of your regular rotation.

Simple is best, and this recipe proves it every single time.

So next time you’re staring into the fridge wondering what to make with those chicken breasts, remember this: add lemon, pepper, garlic, and a touch of love.

📌 You Might Also Like…

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imrafiul

The brain behind FoodBears.com, Rafiul Islam, has diverse talents and passions. Professionally an architect, Rafiul has always been interested in design and structure. His architectural background is evident in how FoodBears.com has been meticulously designed, ensuring an intuitive user experience that appeals to food enthusiasts of all kinds. But what truly sets Rafiul apart is his love for food and his knack for search engine optimization (SEO).