Half-and-Half Citrus Herb Chicken Skillet
Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a half-and-half cream and lemon herb sauce for a bright, silky finish. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs half-and-half cream, lemon juice, fresh parsley, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup half-and-half cream
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 cup half-and-half cream, stirring to combine and scraping up any browned bits.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Simmer the sauce gently for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tablespoons butter until melted and glossy.
- Step 7: Return chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon sauce over them. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
- Step 8: Serve chicken topped with sauce and garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-and-Half Citrus Herb Chicken Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-and-Half Citrus Herb Chicken Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep half-and-half cream from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Citrus Herb Chicken Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-and-Half Citrus Herb Chicken Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-and-Half Citrus Herb Chicken Skillet?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
